What's behind Iran showing solidarity with Syria?

This transcript is automatically generated

Plus some new information now on the growing crisis in Syria as the rebels there are facing a brutal assault.

By government forces in the largest city of -- -- -- this comes as a Syrian president.

He makes his first appearance on state television in nearly three weeks he appears.

With that had envoy from Iraq on.

And Iran is apparently really trying to show the world solidarity with the side.

In fact some suggesting Iran is trying to -- frame that the Syrian conflict.

As part of a wider battle with the United States and other world powers ambassador John Bolton -- -- former US ambassador to the UN.

And -- Fox News contributors ambassador Bolton one -- -- in analysts had this -- say he says that it means now this appearance with the ongoing in Syria.

That this is now -- more international war is it.

Well it always has been I think what's remarkable about the Iran in declaration of their intention to stick with the -- regime.

Is that it wrapped presents a very public doubling down.

Longstanding Iran in support you know if you looked at the media narrative over the past couple -- weeks after the assassination of the aside regimes defense minister.

Opposition attacks on the capital Damascus a lot -- the largest city.

One would have thought that the Asad regime was on the verge of falling -- that its trajectory was inevitably down.

And it allies of the regime like Russia and Iran -- said you know maybe we ought to hedge our bets a little bit here.

Iran doing exactly the opposite making it clear.

By these statements by the public appearances that they -- in this I think right to the end with the Asad regime ambassador -- Why not why wouldn't they be any what do they have to fear by doing that.

Well if they continue to support the Asad regime and lose it takes what would clearly be a major strategic loss.

For -- and magnifies it into a real public humiliation across the Middle East and around the world.

So I think it is fairly unusual fairly remarkable to see Iran does this publicly come out and continue their support for -- son.

Do you think -- it.

-- was something deeper that they just don't really fear the United States that don't fear our involvement there they don't think we're gonna be more aggressive so.

Why not double down with your friends that -- neighbors rather then.

I'll go a different -- Well I think what they're doing in effect is telling the Obama administration.

People on Capitol Hill who want -- -- the opposition.

Something that's been implicit right from the outset which is getting involved with the opposition means taking on Tehran itself.

So if we were committed to a very real posture of regime change in Syria we better be prepared to be committed to and follows through on regime change in Iran as well that'd be fine was -- I don't think that's anywhere close to where the Obama administration wants to -- What is the topic has come up in conversation about this over the last sixteen months is that there is a hesitancy by the united CC get involved here.

Because we don't want to be seen as nettlesome if you will in the -- and Syria or another country in the Middle East but obviously we're being painted that way.

Regardless -- doesn't really matter what we think it's what the people over there -- and they think there were meddling in -- claim that Iran is making already so.

If that's the case then what should our next -- -- Well people like the regime in -- -- gonna make that.

Claim regardless when we did nothing in the summer of 2009.

To aid the opposition protest thing Ahmadinejad fraudulent.

Re election that didn't stop Ahmadinejad from saying we were involved in it I had feared though from from the outset.

That the Obama administration might well be prepared to trade.

Legitimizing.

The Iran in nuclear weapons program for Iran giving up on the side I think that -- was still there I very much feared I think -- Ryan regime might that gravitas.

And I think the Obama administration.

Might be willing to give it.

Ambassador -- is a quick final question here do you think that this is -- it in your critical of the Obama administration here in their moves in Syria.

Do you think is -- this is a problem -- an administration is specific one.

Or a bigger problem on American foreign policy over the last several years in general.

Well I think the administration has never wanted to get involved in Syria because it feared that if it did so -- any chance of the negotiation.

With Iran on its nuclear program would disappear I think that's completely incorrect analysis but I think that's what's held up.

The Obama administration I think more broadly that we just don't know -- the Syrian opposition is to this day.

We can't be sure who they are or what their loyalties would be that's just the fact.

Do -- give us like to think about ambassador Bolton thank you so much for the time against -- thank you.

Watch Live

What's behind Iran showing solidarity with Syria?

Details

Clips

Around the World

Is threat from global terror winding down or changing?

New information about the London terror suspects

Terror expert: Brutal London attack not random act

Message behind Moscow's alleged spy bust

New concerns as Syrian conflict intensifies

What is Ansar Al-Sharia?

Will Benghazi hearings produce answers to 3 key questions?

Assessing national security threat from North Korea

Tracking new threats from Al Qaeda

Is Israel prepared for a proxy war with Iran?

Signal to Iran? Pentagon bulks up its 'bunker buster' bomb

What caused deadly cargo plane crash in Afghanistan?

Transcript

Recommended