Iran is offering to "play its role" alongside other countries to restore stability and security to Syria and end the crisis there through dialogue between the regime of President Bashar Al Assad and opposition forces.

Sounds funny. Having played and continuing to play “its role” in Syria by helping the Damascus regime to suppress the rebellion there, Iran now says it wants to help to restore stability and security to the country.

The Syrian regime has clearly signalled that it intends to continue its brutal suppression of dissent. The Syrian air force’s attack on the village of Tremseh over the weekend in which at least 200 people are said to have died is yet another affirmation of the regime’s determination to put down the revolt and not accept any compromise that would have a negative impact on its survival in power.

It is difficult to take the Iranian offer seriously. Any Iranian involvement in the effort to end the crisis in Syria would only serve the regime in Damascus.

The Syrian opposition would only want Iran to stay out of the Syrian crisis and stop sending weapons and other assistance to the Assad regime.

Tehran wants to ensure that the Damascus regime retains its grip on power. However, it knows well that the Syrian opposition would not agree to any compromise that falls short of a regime change in the country.

It will seem strange that Iran and Syria maintain a strong relationship.

Iran has a religious administration while a secular and socialist government is ruling Syria.

Iran is Persian while Syria is Arab. The two were brought together because of a common cause and common enemy – Iraq’s Saddam Hussein – and their alliance has withstood the test of time for more than three decades now. The two also had common interests against Israel and in Lebanon.

Iran also has a big strategic sake in Syria, which is ruled by the Alawites, an offshoot of the Shiite sect. Tehran hopes to set up a strong alliance that groups Iran with Syria and Iraq, which is sandwiched between the two. The alliance means a vital Gulf-to-Mediterranean land corridor. Iran had been paving the ground for the alliance after the departure of US forces from Iraq late last year, but the crisis in Syria that began in March 2011 undermined its plans.

Tehran does have a strong influence upon Syria, but it is unlikely to use it for any purpose other than to ensure the survival of the Assad regime. In the meantime, its offer to help establish a political dialogue to end the crisis is only aimed at buying time for the Syrian president to continue his violent crackdown.