Satellite images of Iranian surface-to-surface missile factory in northwestern Syria released; Facility in range of Russian S-400 missile defense systems; Iran transfers short-range missiles to Iraq to “protect interests”.
Satellite images were released of a new Iranian surface-to-surface missile factory under construction in northwestern Syria.
Construction of the facility is near the city of Baniyas near Wadi Jahannam. Both the facility currently under construction and the Department 4 of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center in Masyaf are both in the range of deployed Russian S-400 missile defense systems.
The photos were released by ImageSat International.
Reports also surfaced on Thursday that Iran recently transferred ballistic missiles to its Shi’ite proxies in Iraq in order to protect its “interests” in the region. Sources claim the transfer of short-range ballistic missiles was a “backup plan” if Iran was attacked.
The missiles transferred were the Fateh-110, Zelzal and Zolfaqar missiles. The missiles are capable of hitting targets between 200-700 kilometers, a threat to Israel, western Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The reports also claim Iran is looking into domestic missile production in Iraq.
Speaking at a renaming ceremony at the Shimon Peres Nuclear Research Center in Dimona on Wednesday, Prime Minister Netanyahu directly addressed Iran and Israel’s enemies. He warned “our enemies know very well what Israel is capable of doing. They are familiar with our policy. Whoever tries to hurt us – we hurt them.”
He stated “I am not spouting slogans. I am describing a persistent, clear and determined policy. This is our policy. It is backed by appropriate deployment, equipment, preparedness and – in the hour of need – appropriate orders.”
On Iran in Syria, he reiterated “We are working to prevent Iran from establishing a military presence in Syria. We will not relent in pursuit of this goal just as we did not relent in bringing about the cancellation of the bad nuclear agreement with Iran, a goal which was seen as impossible when I put it on the international agenda for the first time several years ago… the IDF will continue to take strong and determined action against Iran’s attempts to station forces and advanced weapons systems in Syria. No agreement between Syria and Iran will deter us; neither will any threat deter us. Whoever threatens us with destruction puts himself in similar danger, and in any case will not achieve his goal.”
Amir will address this and further regional developments during his Middle East Current Events Update from Johannesburg, South Africa. Tune in on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 8:00 pm.
Photo: Derek Brumby/Shutterstock.com
