Dubai: Iran and Hezbollah, who have enjoyed popularity in the Arab world over their anti-Israeli and "revolutionary" stances, are losing their legitimacy following the Arab Spring, particularly after what observers describe as their "hypocritical" stance on Syria's uprising.
Both Iran and Hezbollah were viewed as heroes following Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 and also the Israeli-Lebanese war in the summer of 2006, especially in light of the other Arab leaders' inaction in the face of Israeli aggression against the Palestinians and Lebanese.
However, their popularity gradually began waning in 2009 following Iran's presidential elections and the brief but bloody domestic uprising accusing the government of vote-rigging in the so-called "democratic" Islamic republic.
"For the Arab masses, it was plainly obvious how the regime is able to stay in power: through general repression, imprisonment of political critics, ban on free media and the use of deadly violence when necessary," Alex Vatanka, a fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, told Gulf News.
Tehran's reality
"In other words, anyone on the Arab Street with illusions about the nature of the regime in Tehran woke up to this reality."
However, the most recent and potentially fatal blow to their popularity emerged following the Syrian uprising which began in March 2011.
"If the Israel-Hezbollah war of 2006 turned Iran into a hero in the eyes of Arabs, its support for [President Bashar] Al Assad has turned the Arab public opinion squarely against Iran," Vatanka said.
Iran's support to the Syrian regime is "putting Iran's future influence in the region on the line", seconded prominent Lebanese columnist Sati Nour Al Deen, who writes for the pro-Syrian Lebanese Al Safir newspaper.
While Iran has praised the Arab spring as a consequence of developments inspired by Iran and part of the "Islamic Awakening", it has denounced the uprising in Syria labelling it a "conspiracy". Reports have claimed that Iranian security agents are operating inside Syria aiding the regime in its crackdowns.
While the current crackdown in Syria has fuelled Arab anger against them, Iran and Hezbollah understand that supporting the regime could destroy their popularity and legitimacy, but are left with no options.
"They have taken the decision and will not back down. It is a battle of life or death," Al Deen said.
Vatanka added: "Iran cannot afford to walk away from Al Assad. They have looked around for an alternative partnership in a potential post-Al Assad scenario, but to no avail.
"I doubt [Hezbollah chief] Hassan Nasrallah will put all his bets on Al Assad but where can he turn to?"
Arab-Iran relations
Syria was the only Arab ally of Iran for many years, mainly during the eight-year Iran-Iraq war, which ended in 1988.
However, Iran's relations with Arab countries remained tense afterwards for various reasons including Tehran's increasing influence in Iraq, and its controversial nuclear programme. Arab countries are concerned about the military nature of Iran's nuclear programme which, Tehran insists, is for civilian purposes. The recent warnings and war of words between the West and Iran over its nuclear programme further worsened the already heated atmosphere in the region.
