Iran International:

Iran has been reduced to its weakest point in decades, President Joe Biden said in a valedictory foreign policy speech on Monday, citing Tehran's dire economy, knocked-out air defenses and loss of Syria as an ally.

"Iran's air defenses are in shambles. Their main proxy, Hezbollah, is badly wounded, and as we tested Iran's willingness to revive the nuclear deal, we kept the pressure with sanctions. Now Iran's economy is in desperate straits," Biden said in a White House speech to applause.

"All told, Iran is weaker than it's been in decades," he added, also citing Washington's and other allies' assistance of Israel in shooting down drones and ballistic missiles the Islamic Republic launched in two direct attacks last year.

Biden has been repeatedly criticized by President-elect Trump, who is due to return to the White House next week, as being too soft on Iran.

"You want more evidence we seriously weakened Iran and Russia? Let's take a look at Syria. President Assad was both countries' closest ally in the Middle East. Neither could keep him in power. Quite frankly, neither really tried very hard," Biden added.

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