Tamir Pardo
Photo: Yair Sagi
Former Mossad chief doubts Russia could remove Iran from Syria
In interview with Saudi-owned paper Elaph, Tamir Pardo also talks about need to impose sanctions on Lebanon to weaken Hezbollah and about Israel's ties with moderate Arab nations in the Gulf.
Former Mossad Director Tamir Pardo expressed doubts in an interview with Arabic daily Elaph on Monday that the Russians could remove Iran from Syria.
Pardo also said the way to handle the Hezbollah terror organization in Lebanon is not necessary with a military operation, but by imposing sanctions on Lebanon to weaken the Shiite group.
He also touched on Israel's ties with the moderate Arab nations, saying he believes the main obstacle to these relations is the Palestinian issue, as the Gulf nations tend to support the Palestinians.
Former Mossad director Tamir Pardo (Photo: AFP)
Pardo said he had met with many Arab leaders and security chiefs, encountering "citizens proud of their countries and working for their people's interests."
This isn't the first time a senior Israeli official gives an interview to the London-based Saudi website.
In November, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot called for an international coalition against Iran in an interview with Elaph, adding that Israel was willing to share intelligence with the moderate Arab states, including Saudi Arabia.
"We need to carry out a large, comprehensive strategic plan to stop the Iranian threat," he said. "We're willing to exchange information with the moderate Arab nations, including intelligences, in order to deal with Iran... There are many shared interests between us and Saudi Arabia."
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman also gave an interview to Elaph in April, sending an even stronger message to the Islamic Republic. He warned that if Iran attacks Tel Aviv, Israel will attack Tehran “and destroy every Iranian military outpost in Syria threatening Israel" and adding that the Islamic republic regime's days are numbered.
Lieberman stressed that while Israel did not seek war with anyone, it will not tolerate an Iranian presence in Syria—”whatever the cost may be.”
