In talks with Putin, PM plans to raise Iranian ambitions

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds consultations with security officials a day ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia.

“I will discuss with him Iran’s accelerated attempt to establish a military presence in Syria,” says Netanyahu in a statement from the Prime Minster’s Office.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Moscow on March 9, 2017. (AFP Photo/Pool/Pavel Golovkin)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Moscow on March 9, 2017. (AFP Photo/Pool/Pavel Golovkin)

“This is evidence, of course, of Iran’s aggression that has not diminished in the least since the nuclear agreement,” Netanyahu continues. “It poses a problem not only for Israel, but for all the countries of the Middle East and the entire world.”

The prime minister will be joined on the trip to the Black Sea resort city by Mossad chief Yoram Cohen and national security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat.

The pair will sit in on the meetings with the Russian leader, during which Netanyahu is expected to discuss a ceasefire in Syria brokered by Washington and Moscow. Israel has opposed the deal, saying it does not properly address Israel’s concerns about Iranian ambitions in the region.

The Israeli delegation will also try and secure assurances that after a ceasefire brings the fighting in Syria to an end Iranian forces will be pulled out of the country and its territory, a Ynet report says.

— Times of Israel staff and AFP

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