An Israeli Research Center: Tehran is Seeking to Control Syria's Chemical Weapons Industry

An Israeli research center reported on Wednesday, August 2, that Iran is attempting to take control of key sectors of Syria's chemical weapons industry. The Israeli institute, named "Alma Research and Education Center," investigates security threats against northern Israel. Alma regularly reports on Iran, the Hezbollah group in Lebanon, and other threats in Syria and Lebanon. According to the Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post, the report states that Syria continues to build and store chemical materials with potential military use at the "Scientific Studies and Research Center." The report indicates that this action by Syria contradicts international agreements. Syria's investment in chemical weapons has been a serious threat to Israel for several decades. According to Alma, Hezbollah may use chemical weapons in a potential confrontation with Israel. This militant group, which has fought in Syria on behalf of Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria, is financially and militarily supported by the Islamic Republic. During the Syrian civil war, Syria was supposed to destroy its chemical weapons, but according to Alma, the Scientific Studies and Research Center has continued work on various chemical projects. The report states that Iran also plays a role in these facilities. Alma's report notes that Iran's primary focus is on the construction and improvement of precision missiles and rockets, cruise missiles, and drones on Syrian soil using the "Scientific Studies and Research Center" institutions. According to the Jerusalem Post, by working in Syria, Iran can easily transfer military items within Syria or send them to Lebanon instead of being involved in long-distance transfers from countries like Iraq. The United States has sanctioned hundreds of individuals associated with the Scientific Studies and Research Center. Alma's report indicates that the offices of the Scientific Studies and Research Center in Syria have been targeted over the years, but these attacks have not completely halted its activities. The report refers to ten centers affiliated with this center and states that some of these sites are related to Iran's efforts to create a corridor connecting Iran to Lebanon. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has a military presence in Syria and has repeatedly been targeted. Israel has stated that it opposes the military presence of the Islamic Republic in Syria. The Syrian Foreign Minister in Iran; the Islamic Republic is opening a bank in Syria. Syrian media report that Israel has once again attacked the positions of the Islamic Republic's proxies. Concurrently with the arrival of American fighter jets in the Middle East, the CENTCOM commander visited Israel. New European actions against Iran's support for Russia and Syria: six more individuals have been sanctioned. Experts express concern about the activities of 19 Islamic Republic proxy groups around Israel.