U.S. Defense Secretary Warns of Direct Conflict Risk Between Iran and Israel in Syria

James Mattis, the U.S. Defense Secretary, has warned about the risk of direct conflict between Israel and Iran in Syria, considering Iran's efforts to strengthen its military foothold in Syria. He made this warning shortly before meeting with his Israeli counterpart, Avigdor Lieberman, at a Washington Senate Armed Services Committee meeting. According to the Jerusalem Post, Mattis described the direct confrontation between Israel and Iran over Iran's military presence in Syria as 'very likely,' attributing this to Hezbollah continuing to act on behalf of Iran (against Israel). However, he stated that he does not see any reason for 'Iran to provide Hezbollah with more advanced missiles through Syria with the aim of threatening Israel.' The U.S. Defense Secretary mentioned he could speculate on how a direct engagement between Iran and Israel might start, but he could not predict how far and where it would escalate. He also affirmed Israel's 'full right' to defend itself, adding that 'Israel should not wait to see its citizens die in an attack while it has already clearly warned about the dangers ahead.' General Mattis also commented on the JCPOA during the Senate committee meeting, stating that President Donald Trump's decision regarding the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran has not yet been made. While the U.S. decision on the JCPOA is expected to be announced on May 12, Israel has reiterated its demand for the deal to be canceled or fundamentally changed. Lieberman told General Mattis that increasing pressure and sanctions against Iran is 'vital.' After his appearance in Congress, the U.S. Defense Secretary hosted his Israeli counterpart at the Pentagon, where he reiterated the warning about the confrontation between Israel and Iran in response to a journalist's question at the beginning of the meeting. The U.S. Department of Defense and the Israeli Embassy in Washington stated that the discussions between the two ministers focused on bilateral security issues, including Iran's malign infiltration and its effects on regional instability. The Pentagon's statement added that General Mattis and Avigdor Lieberman emphasized the need to maintain Israel's military superiority and the 'unbreakable commitment of the U.S. to Israel's security.' Before meeting with General Mattis, Israel's Defense Minister had discussions centered on 'the dangers posed by Iran' during his first meeting with John Bolton, the new U.S. National Security Advisor. Concurrently with Lieberman's meetings with U.S. military and security officials, the Saudi website Elaph reported in its first interview with the Israeli Defense Minister that 'if Iran attacks Tel Aviv, Israel will strike Tehran.' Lieberman also stated in this interview that the ruling regime in Iran 'has reached the end of its life.' Israel views Iran's military presence in Syria as a direct threat and claims that Iran's action on February 10 last year, sending a drone equipped with explosives, was its first direct attempt to harm Israel's security. The Israeli Prime Minister stated last week, 'We hear Iran's threats, but the Israeli army is ready, and Iran will pay a heavy price,' adding, 'They send drones to Israel and missiles to Saudi Arabia.' Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the UN, presented satellite images of 'a base attracting and training 82,000 Shia forces under Iranian command' located about 9 kilometers from Damascus during a Security Council meeting. However, senior Iranian officials defended their actions in support of the 'resistance axis' in Syria, referring to the deaths of seven Iranian soldiers in an airstrike attributed to Israel on April 9 against the T-4 base in Homs province, stating that punishment for Israel is 'certain.' This warning was issued by Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to the Iranian leader on international affairs. Ali Shirazi, representative of the Supreme Leader in the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, went further in threatening Israel, saying, 'With the slightest foolishness from Israel, Tel Aviv and Haifa will be leveled to the ground.' Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of the Expediency Council of Iran, also reiterated this threat. Alexander Shinn, the Russian ambassador in Tel Aviv, who has close relations with Iran, Israel, and Syria, called on Tehran and Tel Aviv on Wednesday to 'calm down as soon as possible.' However, Moscow's call failed, and the leaders of both sides continued their sharp verbal warnings against each other. This week, the Israeli Defense Minister also stated that if Israel's freedom of action in attacking the 'threat posed by Iran' in Syria is curtailed, Israel will destroy the air defense systems that Russia may provide to Syria.