Israeli Intelligence Official: Russia Should Not Allow Iran to Establish a Stronghold in Syria

A senior Israeli intelligence official described the war in Syria as a 'strategic threat' to his country and stated that Russia should not allow Iran to solidify its foothold in Syria. Haggai Zohariel, the director-general of the Israeli Ministry of Intelligence, said in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, March 21, that Israel is asking Russia to limit Iran's military capabilities in Syria. According to Mr. Zohariel, the Syrian war has led to a current strategic threat against Israel. The director-general, who has 27 years of experience in the Mossad, added, 'Russia, the United States, and other powers must help restore the balance of power to its previous state.' According to this Israeli official, his country and Russia do not view each other as enemies regarding Syria. Haggai Zohariel also told Reuters that 'as we speak, Iran is strengthening its relations with Syria.' According to Zohariel, Iran is advancing its agreements with Syria and wants to have the ability to operate freely in Syrian land and naval bases. The director-general of the Israeli Ministry of Intelligence also stated that at least 25,000 fighters in Syria are under Iranian command. According to Haggai Zohariel, these 25,000 fighters include Iraqi Shiite militias, forces hired by Iran from among Pakistani and Afghan Shiites, Afghan residents of Iran, and also forces sent by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps itself. The Syrian civil war entered its seventh year last week; Iran continues to claim that its presence in Syria is 'advisory' and at the invitation of the Syrian government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently stated that his country would not tolerate the permanent military presence of Iran or its 'proxies' (such as Hezbollah) in Syria. On Friday, March 17, Netanyahu also said that Iran is establishing a naval base in Syria. In recent days, there have been reports of Israeli airstrikes by fighter jets and drones in Syria aimed at 'destroying weapons sent by Iran for Hezbollah from Syrian territory'; only the attack on Friday was confirmed by Israel and Syria. Simultaneously, Israeli media reported that Yossi Cohen, the head of Mossad, said on Tuesday, March 21, 'As long as the mullah regime is in power in Iran, Iran is the main security challenge for Israel.' In a speech at a memorial event for Meir Dagan, the former head of Mossad, Cohen stated, 'Global changes have had profound effects on the Middle East; the face of the region is changing rapidly; the threats against Israel are clear; the primary challenge for Israel is still from Iran.' Yossi Cohen added, 'Iran is trying to be a shaping player in the Middle East; its tendencies and goals are the same as they were, and only its actions change according to the requirements it faces.' Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said in a speech on Tuesday, March 21, at the shrine of the eighth Shiite Imam that 'that senior Zionist officer says Iran is the enemy, but he cannot help but admire Iran's advancements.' While statements from Iranian and Israeli officials against each other had somewhat decreased after the JCPOA, with the beginning of Donald Trump's presidency, Israel has found an opportunity to reiterate its dissatisfaction with the JCPOA. At the same time, Netanyahu has recently warned about Iran's regional behaviors, which he calls 'provocative.' In recent weeks, Netanyahu has traveled to the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and Russia to form a front of allied countries against 'Iran's aggressive policies.'