Israel Will Act Against Iranian Expansion

Earlier this week Israel’s Prime Minister told the Russian President that Israel was prepared to act unilaterally to prevent an expanded Iranian military presence in Syria.

Israel is concerned that an Assad victory in Syria could leave Iran with a permanent garrison there, expanding the threat posed by Hezbollah, from Lebanon.

Benjamin Netanyahu said:

“We cannot forget for a single minute that Iran threatens every day to annihilate Israel,”

“Iran is already well on its way to controlling Iraq, Yemen and to a large extent is already in practice in control of Lebanon.”

“We will be sure to defend ourselves with all means against this and any threat.”

On Thursday Avigdor Liberman followed that by saying:

"Iran … is trying to create a new reality around us with Iranian air and naval bases in Syria, Shiite militias with thousands of mercenaries and the production of precision weapons in Lebanon.”

“Israel does not intend to accept these attempts.”

A particular concern is a site near the city of Baniyas, about 50 kilometres north of Lebanon. Satellite photographs show that it looks like an Iranian-built Scud missile factory.