Sunday, April 15, 2018

Netanyahu warns over Iran after Syria strikes

Prime Minister Netanyahu warned Sunday over Iran's presence in Syria after Western strikes in response to the use of chemical weapons and a recent attack attributed to Israel.

Netanyahu also called on Western powers to take the same approach toward preventing terror states from acquiring nuclear weapons, referring to Israel's main enemy Iran.

The premier said he spoke with British Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday night following the joint strikes by the United States, France and Britain in neighboring Syria.
The narrowly targeted pre-dawn military operation on Saturday took aim at three alleged chemical weapons facilities. Netanyahu had previously expressed his "total support" for the strikes.

"The important international message that came from the attack was zero tolerance for the use of non-conventional weapons," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting, describing his discussion with May.

"I added that this policy needs to also be expressed in preventing terror states and groups from having nuclear abilities."

Netanyahu also again warned over Iran's presence in Syria after previously pledging not to allow the country to entrench itself militarily next door. On April 9, seven Iranian soldiers were among 14 people killed in an early-morning strike on the T-4 airbase in Syria, with regime allies Iran and Russia blaming Israel for the attack. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility. READ MORE