Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad publicly denounced Syria’s use of force to quell recent protests, with his remarks adding a new layer of complexity to the relationship between the two traditionally friendly nations. 

Cracks appeared to deepen as Ahmadinejad vocalized his support for reforms in embroiled Syria. As reported by the New York Times:

“Regional nations can assist the Syrian people and government in the implementation of essential reforms and the resolution of their problems,” Mr. Ahmadinejad said in an interview in Tehran, according to his official Web site. Other press accounts of the interview with a Portuguese television station quoted him as also saying, “A military solution is never the right solution,” an ironic assessment from a man whose own questionable re-election in 2009 prompted huge street demonstrations that were put down with decisive force.

Ahmadinejad’s move comes as a surprise as many in the international community have blasted Iran for blatantly supporting the Syrian government throughout the protests. In particular, U.S. officials accused Iran in May of sending military personal to help advise Syrian troops fighting the opposition.  

“This [Ahmadinejad's statement] is significant since Iran has supported Syria pretty aggressively in the past,” said Jerrold D. Green, the president and CEO of the Pacific Council on International Policy. 

“For Iran to criticize anyone on human rights, considering their own record, is also pretty significant and interesting as well,” Green added. 

Iran’s change in attitude has little to do with sincere regard for human rights and more to do with bolstering its image in the international community, said Green.

“Sincerity has nothing to do with it,” he said. “It was the politically prudent thing to do and it bought some Iran some credibility.”

Previously, Iran had made similar statements denouncing the crackdown. In an Aug. 30 interview, Karim Sadjapour, an associate with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the Council on Foreign Relations that Iran’s previous comments also had little to do with sincerity, as they came in conjunction with major Iranian support:

The violence and brutality in Syria has escalated to such a level that Iran has become forced to acknowledge it publicly. But I am sure that in private the Iranians have offered Assad their unequivocal support and they've advised him not to compromise and not to reform.

Nevertheless, without Iran’s support, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would stand alone in his efforts. As James M. Dorsey, a professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, told Middle East Online before Ahmadinejad’s declaration:

Losing Iran would leave Assad completely isolated – especially in the wake of Turkish warnings that Ankara can no longer stand idly by as the killing in Syria continues. The writing is clearly on the wall for the embattled Syrian president.

When asked who stood to benefit, Green agreed that Ahmadinejad’s remarks were a win for the opposition and a blow to Assad. 

“I’m not sure if it is going to change the world, but it certainly emboldens the opposition,” he said, “as well as isolating an already isolated regime even more.”

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