Iran commander scorns ‘ridiculous’ threats by Israel PM

By Mustafa Melih Ahishali

ISTANBUL

The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps on Wednesday derided recent threats by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Iran’s continued military presence in Syria.

According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Mohammad Ali Jafari described recent threats by Netanyahu to target Iranian assets in Syria as “ridiculous”.

“We will maintain all of our… military advisers and weapons [in Syria],” Jafari asserted, going on to remind Israel of Iran’s formidable missile arsenal.

On Tuesday, Netanyahu reiterated his demand for a speedy Iranian military withdrawal from war-torn Syria.

“I advise you to get out of Syria fast; we will continue our resolute policy without fear,” Netanyahu was quoted as saying, addressing Iran.

He added: “We won’t stop attacking you.”

Iran and Hezbollah are both close allies of Syria’s Assad regime, which has been battling heavily-armed opposition factions in Syria since 2011.