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New satellite images from an Israeli firm have revealed that Iran has built a permanent military base on the outskirts of Syrian capital Damascus, according to multiple media reports on Wednesday, even as US President Donald Trump called the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE on the phone to push against Tehran’s increasing regional influence.
The US news channel Fox News on Wednesday published what it claimed to be “exclusive satellite images” obtained from ImageSat International which purportedly showed the new Iranian base, some 13 kilometers northwest of Damascus.
The report claimed that the base is being operated by the Quds Force, the special operations arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard which has spearheaded Tehran’s operations in Syria.
These satellite images show what media reports claim to be the hangars at the new Iranian military base (right) near the Syrian capital Damascus which appear similar to one at a base attacked by Israel last December.
The satellite images apparently reveal two new white hangars, each roughly 30 meters by 20 meters, which could be used to store short- and medium-range missiles, “capable of hitting all of Israel”, Fox News claimed, citing Western intelligence sources.
Iranian missiles and Israeli 'red lines'
US Central Command chief Gen. Joseph Votel said on Tuesday that Iran was “increasing” the number and “quality” of its ballistic missiles it was deploying to the region when asked during a House Armed Services Committee hearing about reports Tehran had moved more missiles into Syria.
Gen. Votel, however, asserted that countering Iran is not one of the missions of the US-led coalition in Syria.
If the base is confirmed to hold Iranian missiles, London-based The Telegraph newspaper speculated, it would lead to increased tensions between arch-rivals Israel and Iran over Syria.
Last month Israel shot down an Iranian drone that was launched from Syria and veered into Israeli airspace, but in doing that Israel lost one of its F-16 fighter jets to Syrian anti-aircraft missiles.
Israel has repeatedly warned that one if its “red lines” is to prevent Tehran from establishing any permanent military base in Syria.
"Iran continues to try to cross those red lines. Israel will not allow the Iranian regime to put a noose of terror around our neck,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted at last month’s Munich Security Conference.
Last December Israeli jets and ground missiles destroyed an alleged Iranian base in the Syrian city of Al Qiswah, 13 kilometers south of Damascus. Satellite images taken of the Al Qiswah facility before it was destroyed show a white hangar around 30 meters long and 20 meters wide, similar to the ones revealed in the latest ImageSat photos.
Trump calls Saudi, UAE crown princes
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump made phone calls to Saudi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, who is also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in a bid to encourage the Gulf countries to counter Iran’s regional influence.
Trump urges Saudi, UAE to contain Tehran as satellite photo reveals new Iranian base in Syria
The White House said in a statement that in Trump's call with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, the two leaders discussed regional development and opportunities to further enhance bilateral partnership on security and economic issues.
Trump expressed the hope that all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states could better counter Iran's "destabilizing" activities and defeat terrorists and extremists.
The two leaders also said that a united GCC is important "to mitigate regional threats and ensure the region's economic prosperity."
In a separate call with the Saudi crown prince, Trump also talked about regional development.
The two leaders vowed to further enhance the American-Saudi partnership on security and economic front.
Thanking the crown prince for boosting GCC cooperation to counter Tehran's influence, Trump agreed with him on the importance of having a united GCC "mitigate regional threats and ensure the region's economic prosperity."
(CGTN)
