Israel vows not allow Iranian foothold in Syria, "whatever the cost"

JERUSALEM, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman vowed on Tuesday that Israel will not allow Iranian foothold in Syria, no matter what the cost will be.

The remark came a day after Israeli war jets allegedly attacked the T-4 military air base in Homs, killing 14 people. Israel was accused by Russia and Syria of carrying out the strike but has not officially confirmed its involvement.

"I do not know what happened there or who attacked," Lieberman said during an inauguration ceremony in the town of Katzrin in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights.

"I know one thing for sure - we won't allow Iran to establish a stronghold in Syria, whatever the cost. We have no choice. To agree to Iranian entrenchment in Syria is to agree to the Iranians laying a chokehold on our neck," he said.

According to Lieberman, Iran's efforts to establish itself in Syria have been increasing over the past weeks. "It's not planning to build a cultural center or a museum there," he said.

Hinting at Israel's expectation that Russia will avoid Iranian bases in Syria, Lieberman said that there are "those who can prevent it without the use of military force, and I hope that those elements will act and do the right thing in their power to prevent Iran from establishing itself without unnecessary friction."

Regarding the intention of United State President Donald Trump to withdraw from Syria, Lieberman said that the U.S. is Israel's "greatest friend... Yet it is the biggest power in the world and has its own interests, and we will respect any decision made by the White House."

Also on Tuesday, Moscow, which reportedly criticized the attack as a "dangerous development," summoned the Israeli ambassador to Russia for a talk. Iran vowed to retaliate the attack, which reportedly claimed the lives of at least seven Iranian nationals.

The strike came amidst an international wrangling about the allegations of the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian army in the attack on the rebels in Douma district. Enditem