Israeli satellite images expose Iran’s new base in Syria

Iran has built another military base outside of Damascus, complete with hangars used to store missiles capable of hitting all of Israel.

By: World Israel News Staff

Satellite images from the Israeli firm ImageSat International (ISI) obtained by Fox News show what is believed to be the new Iranian base in Syria operated by the Quds Force, the special operations arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iran’s new base is located outside of Damascus, Syria’s capital, and houses missiles capable of hitting all of Israel, Fox News reported Tuesday, citing Western intelligence sources.

The IRGC is entrusted with Iran’s foreign espionage and sabotage activities.

The photos show two hangars, each roughly 30 yards by 20 yards, used to store short- and medium-range missiles, Fox News reported.

A base similar to the one revealed in these new satellite photos was built last year south of Damascus, before being destroyed in December, reportedly by Israeli surface-to-surface missiles.

This report comes just days after satellite images taken by ISI proved that Russia has deployed advanced Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets.

Commenting on the report by Fox News, Israeli Minister of Defense Avigdor Liberman told Israel Radio on Wednesday that the report was not accurate, and that Israel is “following the developments and we have the complete and accurate picture.”

However, he stated that Israel “will not agree to Iran establishing itself in Syria, and definitely not deploying missiles that could be aimed at Israel.”

He further noted that “it was not a question of one base or another, but rather the Iranian attempt to establish itself in various ways, and on this issue there will be no compromise.”

“There is nothing new here,” he clarified. While Israel has no intention of escalating the situation, it will not back down either, he noted, adding, “We will also act in the international arena and do anything possible.”

On Capitol Hill Tuesday, General Joseph Votel, the top US military commander for American forces in the Middle East, said Iran was “increasing” the number and “quality” of its ballistic missiles it was deploying to the region.

He said Iran has “enhanced” its funding to proxy forces in the Middle East since the nuclear agreement in July 2015, including sending missiles, fighters and other arms to Yemen and Syria.

The nuclear deal freed billions in Iranian funds, which are now being invested in the Islamic Republic’s attempts to destabilize the region and enhance its military power.

Votel said that in the past five years Iran successfully had created a proxy network in Yemen similar to what it took 20 years to create in Lebanon with Hezbollah.