Report: U.S. officials say Israel preparing for war with Iran in Syria

The US officials also blamed Israel for the airstrike on military bases in the Syrian cities of Hamas and Aleppo on Sunday that killed over 20 military personnel, including Iranians.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF, MICHAEL WILNER
Israeli forces are seen near a border fence between the Israeli side of the Golan Heights and Syria, November 4, 2017. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Israeli forces are seen near a border fence between the Israeli side of the Golan Heights and Syria, November 4, 2017.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Israel seems to be preparing for military action with Iran in Syria and is seeking US help, three unnamed US officials told the American television station NBC on Tuesday.
"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.
The US officials also blamed Israel for the airstrike on military bases in the Syrian cities of Hamas and Aleppo on Sunday that killed over 20 military personnel, including Iranians.
Defense Minster Avigdor Liberman said on Tuesday he would not respond to charges with regard to the airstrikes, adding, “I don’t read foreign publications.”
“The State of Israel can not afford to ignore the threats of Iran, whose senior officials routinely threaten the State of Israel, promise to wipe it out and continue to support terror.  and therefore we will do everything we need to do,” Liberman said.
“Iran is trying to hurt us and we will respond appropriately,” Liberman said.
“Israel has four problems: Iran, Iran, Iran and hypocrisy,” Liberman said as he spoke at a ceremony marking the exchange of command of the head of COGAT.
“What we see in the international arena is a surreal spectacle where those same countries that many years ago supported the Munich and and Molotov-Ribbentrop agreements continue to bury their heads in the sand and ignore reality of Iran, which is trying to destabilize the entire Middle East, Yemen, Iraq,” he said at the ceremony marking the exchange of command of the head of COGAT.
“It is the same Iran that persecutes freedom of expression, minorities and all democratic values. This is the same Iran that tried to develop nuclear weapons and entered into an agreement in order to win many economic benefits, and this is the same Iran that is currently trying to hide its weapons program and everyone is trying to ignore it,” Liberman continued.
CNN on Monday asked Netanyahu if Israel was prepared to go to war against Iran. The Prime Minister responded: ”Nobody's seeking that kind of development. Iran is the one that's changing the rules in the region."