PM denies Iranian claim that it has achieved 90% of its goals in Syria

“A month ago another Iranian source said that they were only 'advising' Syria,” Netanyahu said. “The world hears a lot of lies from Iran.”

By HERB KEINON
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a cabinet meeting, February 17th, 2019 (photo credit: EMIL SALMAN/POOL)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a cabinet meeting, February 17th, 2019
(photo credit: EMIL SALMAN/POOL)
Israel will continue to do what it must do to halt Iranian entrenchment in Syria, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday in response to a senior Iranian official who said that his country has achieved 90% of its goals in Syria.
Netanyahu disputed the comments made on Saturday by Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, telling the weekly cabinet meeting that this was “not correct,” and that what is correct is that the Iranians are “trying,” but that Israel is blocking them in Syria.
PM denies Iranian claim that it has achieved 90% of its goals in Syria, February 24, 2019 (GPO)
“A month ago another Iranian source said that they were only ‘advising’ Syria,” Netanyahu said. “The world hears a lot of lies from Iran.”
Netanyahu said that Iran and its aggression in the region will be on the top of the agenda of talks he is scheduled to hold on Wednesday in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He was originally scheduled to meet Putin last Thursday, but postponed that visit to deal with political developments in Israel.
“We will also discuss strengthening the security coordinating mechanisms between the IDF and the Russian army to preserve stability and prevent unnecessary friction in the region,” Netanyahu said. “These talks are important for security and for the IDF, and are very important for Israel.”
During his opening comments before the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu also characterized early Friday morning’s launch of an Israeli spacecraft to the moon as “important” for Israel.
“This is a big step for the State of Israel and a giant step for Israeli technology,” he said. “I want Israeli citizens to know that our Bible will get to the moon, and also the phrase under the camera: ‘The people of Israel lives.’ This is something we could only dream of.”