Israel: Iran's Plans to Build Missile Facilities in Syria Have Currently Stopped

Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's Defense Minister, says that Iran's activities in Syria have decreased to the point where the Islamic Republic currently has 'no activity' regarding the construction of missile base facilities in Syrian territory. Lieberman's statements were published in an interview with the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Friday, September 9. In this interview, Lieberman noted that Iran is not constructing any ports or airports in Syria, but at the same time, they have not abandoned such plans and continue negotiations with Bashar al-Assad's regime for establishing a base in that country. Iran claims its presence in Syria is 'advisory' and at the request of the Assad government. Israel has consistently stated that it will not allow Iran to establish bases and missile facilities to solidify its presence in Syria. Israeli officials have also reported several times on attacks against the positions of Islamic Republic forces in Syria and the destruction of 'warehouses and missile manufacturing facilities.' However, Iran denies this. The Israeli Defense Minister attributed the cessation of Iran's missile activities to 'Israel's hard and daily work in Syria' as well as the current economic problems in Iran. Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran are considered enemies in the Middle East, and in recent years, the presence of Iranian forces in Syrian territory, neighboring Israel, has increased the likelihood of military confrontation between the two countries. Despite the extensive conquests of Bashar al-Assad's government and the recovery of various areas from rebel groups in recent months, Iran has emphasized that it will maintain an active presence in the country 'during the reconstruction period.' During the visit of Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami to Syria last week, the two countries signed several defense-military agreements, and General Hatami emphasized Iran's continued presence in that country. On the other hand, in late August, during the visit of an Iranian economic delegation to Syria, the two countries signed an economic memorandum that, according to Iran's Deputy Minister of Roads, included key provisions for 'the construction of 30,000 housing units in Syria' and 'the reconstruction of the country's transportation infrastructure.' Lieberman's interview was published on the same day that Reuters reported in an exclusive report that Iran has transferred dozens of ballistic missiles and related launchers to Iraq and intends to 'turn Iraq into its missile base.' Iranian officials have not yet responded to Reuters' report. In response to a question from a Yedioth Ahronoth reporter about whether the economic crisis in Iran has led to a decrease in the Islamic Republic's activities in Syria, the Israeli Defense Minister said that heavy economic pressure on the Islamic Republic has caused its assistance to Syria and Hezbollah to decline as well. He also emphasized that with the beginning of the second phase of the return of U.S. sanctions, 'the situation will worsen ... and funding for Hezbollah will not remain as it is.' Following the Trump administration's withdrawal from the JCPOA, the U.S. has stated that it will reinstate sanctions against Iran in two phases. The first phase was implemented last month, and the second phase, which targets Iran's oil and banking transactions, is set to be implemented on November 4.