``We tell [the Israelis] that after tasting humiliation in the latest battles, your weapons are not going to protect you -- not your planes, or missiles, or even your nuclear bombs. . . . The future generations in the Arab world will find a way to defeat Israel," Assad added.
A few hours later, Iran's leader, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saluted Hezbollah for hoisting ``the banner of victory" over Israel.
``God's promises have come true," he told a huge crowd in Arbadil in northwestern Iran. ``On one side, it's corrupt powers of the criminal US and Britain and the Zionists . . . with modern bombs and planes. And on the other side is a group of pious youth relying on God."
Analysts said that both countries now feel stronger in their own individual disputes with the West and that the alliance of their hard-line governments is stronger now, in contrast with the Mideast bloc of pro-US governments.
``Both Syria and Iran have achieved a political victory," said Dawood al-Shirian, a Saudi Arabian who hosts a talk show on Dubai television. ``Lebanon once again has paid a heavy price, and Syria and Iran have once again taken credit."
Iran may also feel its bargaining hand has become stronger as it approaches the Aug. 31 deadline set by the UN Security Council for a halt in Iranian uranium enrichment. Iran says it will announce Aug. 22 its reply to a package of incentives offered by the United States and Europe aimed at enticing it to suspend enrichment.
Mostly Shi'ite, Persian Iran may also try to ride the increased popularity of the Shi'ite Arabs of Hezbollah to make inroads with the Arab world's Sunni Muslims. The popularity of Hezbollah's chief, Hassan Nasrallah, has grown even among Sunnis in Saudi Arabia, whose strict school of Islam considers Shi'ites heretics.
Arab countries -- particularly in the Persian Gulf -- are wary of Iran and its nuclear program, and the stronger that Iran is seen to be, the more nervous its regional rivals get.
Syria, in turn, may feel it can play a more influential role after years of isolation. It had been under even more international pressure since last year's assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, which was widely blamed on Syria despite its denials.
