Israel Fears 'Iranian Crescent' in Middle East

[TomSea]

Israel Fears 'Iranian Crescent' in Middle East
by Naharnet Newsdesk 20 hours ago

Israel fears an "Iranian crescent" may be forming in the Middle East because of Tehran's influence in Syria and its connections with regional Shiite groups, an intelligence official said Monday.

The comments from Chagai Tzuriel, director general of Israel's intelligence ministry, illustrate his country's growing concerns over its arch-foe Iran's involvement in the conflict in neighboring Syria.

Iran's support for Lebanese Shiite movement Hizbullah, which also backs Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime, also concerns Israel, as does Tehran's influence in Iraq and its support for groups such as the Huthi rebels in Yemen.

"I think that... Israel believes that if Iran bases itself for the long run in Syria it will be a constant source of friction and tension with the Sunni majority in Syria, with the Sunni countries outside Syria, with Sunni minorities outside the region, with Israel," Tzuriel told foreign reporters.

Continued: http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/227961-israel-fears-iranian-crescent-in-middle-east