Netanyahu: If Rouhani is unaware of Iran's terrorist presence in Syria, we will inform him

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted on Thursday to Hassan Rouhani's remarks regarding foreign forces in the Syrian war, stating that "if Rouhani is unaware of Iran's terrorist activities in Syria, Israel can inform him." Rouhani had said on Tuesday, ahead of his trip to Turkey, that "the interventions of Zionist forces have exacerbated the problems (in the Syrian crisis); they do not respect Syria's national sovereignty; they bomb some areas of this country and support terrorists." On Wednesday, Rouhani participated in a trilateral meeting in Ankara, hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, to discuss the future of Syria. Netanyahu, however, tweeted that "Iran's nonsense knows no bounds," adding that "Iran's terrorist octopus accuses Israel of terrorism." According to him, the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard plays a role "every day" in "destructive actions in Syria." Iran has been a long-time supporter of the Assad regime in Syria, striving for the survival of Bashar al-Assad's regime during the country's civil war. Despite acknowledging its ground presence and casualties in the Syrian conflict, Iran claims it is in the country at the invitation of the legitimate Damascus government. The final statement of the Ankara trilateral meeting emphasized that the Syrian crisis has no military solution. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who accompanied Rouhani to the Ankara meeting, later traveled to Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, for a mid-term meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement foreign ministers, stating that Iran, Turkey, and Russia "are seeking a peaceful solution for Syria and insist on Syria's territorial integrity, independence, and national sovereignty." Turkey has also recently expanded its military intervention in Kurdish areas, including Afrin, to create what it perceives as a security corridor between these areas and Turkey. Russia's military presence in Syria since September 2015 has played a significant role in Syria's military victories and the recapture of key parts of the country from various rebel forces. The survival and strengthening of Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria comes as many Israeli officials had expressed confidence in his downfall. However, since last year, Israel has expressed concern over what it calls the "entrenchment of Iran's military presence in Syria." Israeli officials say that Iran "wants to turn Syria into a new front against Israel by creating a land corridor from Tehran to the Mediterranean coast in Syria and bringing thousands of Shiite forces to the region to participate in future military confrontations against Israel." Two months ago, Israel responded militarily to Iranian and Syrian military targets in Syria by downing an "Iranian drone" that had infiltrated and flown for a minute and a half in northern Israeli airspace. Prior to that, several other airstrikes in Syria were attributed to Israel, some of which were confirmed by Israel. Iran has denied the drone's connection to its military forces in Syria, and Syria stated that the drone was launched by its army for reconnaissance of opposition groups. Netanyahu, following a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House last month, stated that his country has "no limitations on necessary actions in Syria" and that Israel and the U.S. view the issues in Syria "through one lens." However, analysts in Israeli media have recently emphasized that the "contradictory messages" from the Trump administration regarding the presence or withdrawal of U.S. forces in Syria have raised Israeli concerns about further strengthening Iran's presence in Syria. Although no specific date has been mentioned for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria, there have been discussions about a timeframe of approximately six months; the White House has stated that Trump's request for withdrawal from Syria will not make Iran "more brazen"; however, this statement seems to contradict Israeli assessments. On Wednesday morning, Trump had a phone conversation with Netanyahu, and the White House statement regarding this call noted that the two leaders emphasized "cooperation in combating Iran's malign influence and destabilizing actions in the region." However, Associated Press reported, citing American officials, that the Trump-Netanyahu conversation was accompanied by tensions, with the Israeli Prime Minister expressing his country's "concern" about Syria falling into the hands of Iran, as "Israel's sworn enemy," after the U.S. withdrawal from Syria. Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, this week expressed concerns about the consequences of the U.S. withdrawal from Syria more explicitly than Israel; Trump responded on Tuesday by saying that in that case, Saudi Arabia should pay the financial cost. In this context, the head of Mossad expressed "one hundred percent certainty" regarding Iran's determination to build a nuclear weapon, and the phone conversation between Trump and Netanyahu focused on countering Iran's actions. The White House stated that we will remain until the complete defeat of ISIS forces in Syria. Israel claimed responsibility for the attack on Syria's nuclear facilities, warning Iran. Netanyahu stated that Iran plans to establish a permanent military base and weapons factory in Syria. Mike Pence warned that Iran's dangerous provocations will not go unanswered.