Iran and Israel: Tension Over Syria (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised June 5, 2019 |
| Report Number |
IF10858 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Carla E. Humud; Kenneth Katzman; Jim Zanotti |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Iranian military operations in support of the Syrian
government since 2011 have exacerbated longstanding
tensions between Iran and Israel. These tensions have
worsened considerably since late 2016 as Iran has helped
Syria’s government regain key territory, and in turn has
sought a more permanent military presence in Syria.
Israeli officials have described the deployment of Iranbacked
forces in Syria—particularly in the southwest, near
Israel’s northern border—as a significant security threat
compelling Israel to act. In September 2018, Israeli
Intelligence Minister Israel Katz stated, “in the last two
years Israel has taken military action more than 200 times
within Syria itself.” During 2018, Israeli and Iranian forces
have repeatedly targeted one another in and over Syrianand
Israeli-controlled areas. While Israel has conducted
numerous air strikes inside Syria since 2012—mostly on
targets linked to weapons shipments to Lebanese
Hezbollah—the 2018 strikes appear for the first time to
have directly targeted Iranian facilities and personnel in
Syria.
