Israeli Ambassador to the UN Showcases Satellite Images of 'Iranian Base in Syria'

Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the UN, displayed a satellite image of what he called an Iranian military base in Syria during a Security Council meeting on Thursday, claiming that the Islamic Republic of Iran 'controls the training and command of 82,000 Shia militias in Syria.' According to the Jerusalem Post, Danon explained that of these 82,000 militias, 3,000 are from the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard; 9,000 are Hezbollah militants; 10,000 are Shia fighters brought in from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan; and the remaining 60,000 are Syrians. The satellite image he presented referred to a base located nine kilometers from Damascus, the capital of Syria, which he described as the main center for the transfer, recruitment, and training of forces, aimed at carrying out assigned missions in Syria and the region. The Israeli ambassador stated that his country decided to disclose this information to 'help the world understand the depth of Iran's involvement in Syria.' Prior to the Security Council meeting, Danon also mentioned at a press conference that an Iranian drone that infiltrated Israeli airspace on February 10 was equipped with explosives. The monthly UN Security Council meeting aimed to discuss the situation in the Middle East, particularly Palestinian issues; however, Israeli media had previously reported that their ambassador would make a 'significant revelation' regarding the extent of Iran's military presence in Syria. Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, also emphasized during the Security Council meeting that Iran destabilizes the region by sending missiles to Yemen and drones from Syria into Israeli airspace. She added that Iran supports the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas, and Hezbollah, who have put civilians in harm's way. Danon's remarks about the base training 82,000 Shia militias in Syria under Iranian command come as Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman stated in an interview with the Saudi website Elaph that Iran has turned Syria into another front threatening Israel, and that from now on, Iranian activity centers in Syria will be 'targets.' Iran, however, continues to claim that its military presence in Syria is 'advisory,' at the invitation of the 'legitimate government' of Bashar al-Assad and based on military and security agreements between Tehran and Damascus. Israel's concerns about the strengthening of Iran's military presence in Syria and the approaching deadline for the US decision on the JCPOA have been two main issues in the escalation of mutual threats between Israeli and Iranian leaders in recent days. The Israeli defense minister stated in an interview with Elaph that 'if Iran attacks Tel Aviv, Israel will also strike Tehran.' Senior Iranian officials, however, this week referred to the deaths of seven Iranian military personnel in an airstrike attributed to Israel on April 9 against the T-4 base in Syria, stating that punishment for Israel is 'inevitable.' Meanwhile, Avigdor Lieberman, who has traveled to the US, met with John Bolton, the US National Security Advisor, at the White House on Thursday; a meeting that Israeli media reported was focused on Iran and occurred on the eve of the US government's upcoming decision regarding the JCPOA. Donald Trump stated on January 12 that he had approved the nuclear deal with Iran 'for the last time' and emphasized that the 'catastrophic flaws' of this agreement must be resolved within four months. This deadline expires on May 12. Israel has also called for the cancellation of the JCPOA or a complete overhaul of its provisions. Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the UN, stated at the Security Council meeting on Thursday that 'all signatory countries of the JCPOA must decide whether they stand with the US or Iran, which supports terrorism and seeks dominance in the region.' According to this ambassador, 'the policy of Israeli governments since the premiership of (Menachem) Begin has been clear; no regime will be allowed to destroy Israel with nuclear weapons.' Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, recently attempted to convince Trump to remain in the JCPOA during talks in Washington. He emphasized that a new agreement with four focal points must be reached with Iran. Iranian leaders, however, warned that if the US withdraws from the JCPOA, Iran will also back away from it and may even exit the NPT, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.