© AFP 2018 / JACK GUEZ
Alex Lockie, Business Insider: Israel has been punishing Iran in Syria and looks to be preparing for a massive war — but it's surrounded by rockets
* Israel appears to be readying for a big war with Iran, US officials reportedly said.
* Israel stands accused of a series of airstrikes against Iranian forces in Syria, and Iran is expected to strike back.
* Israel hasn't gloated about the attacks, and reportedly hopes Iran will back down, but the conflict could erupt.
* Israel has been pounding Iranian forces at will lately, but they're surrounded by Iranian and Iranian-aligned forces that could rain down tens of thousands of rockets on them.
After a rash of mysterious airstrikes hit Syrian airfields that house Iranian forces over the early months of 2018, Israel now appears to be readying for a big fight against Tehran.
"On the list of the potentials for most likely live hostility around the world, the battle between Israel and Iran in Syria is at the top of the list right now," a senior US official told NBC News.
US officials also confirmed that Israel destroyed a munitions depot in Syria on Sunday, resulting in a massive explosion that registered as an earthquake as the bombs ignited the missiles stored in the building.
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Update: Israel seems to be preparing for war with Iran, U.S. officials say (NBC)
WNU Editor: Israeli strikes on Iranian positions in Syria are now becoming a regular routine .... Israeli F-15s Hit Syrian Base Storing Iranian Anti-Aircraft Missiles - Reports (Sputnik). And the Israelis are not going after soft targets .... The Syrian airbase at the heart of a potential Israel-Iran war (The Guardian). Bottom line .... it looks like the Israelis want to have a fight when they can have the maximum impact against Iran, and it will be fought in Syria.
Update: Yup .... options are linmited .... AP Analysis: Iran has few options to avenge Syria strikes (AP).
Though they have divergent aims Iran and Russia are committed too deeply in Syria to pull back without serious repercussions. After the US and Israel the key player is Qassam Solemeini. It is he who will decide how this will play out. He has a rather stark set of choices and I do not envy him.
ReplyDeleteJH
That's a good strategic thought. A big fight with Iran now will be a big victory. The Iran regime will not be able to support a defeat with a lot of losses to show to the population. It could result in a regime change. But, that's urgent because this "good window" could be closed pretty quickly.
ReplyDeletejac,
ReplyDelete"But, that's urgent because this "good window" could be closed pretty quickly."
That's not necessarily true. If and until Iran has viable air they will always be extended. Of course Israel by waiting would see Iran reinforce it's position up close. Still what Russia represents to Iran (air cover and more importantly air cover with some diplomatic shielding) is irreplaceable for the foreseeable future. The weakness for them is the two countries (Iran and Russia) have vastly different goals in the area. In short Iran wants NO western forces in the area, Russia is accepted because of what they bring and as WNU stated above the cost at this point may far outweigh the benefits.