On Sunday, Iran launched missiles at a U.S. consulate in northern Iraq, in what it claimed was retaliation for an Israeli strike last week on multiple sites near Damascus, which left two Iranian officers dead. With the eyes of the world focused on the war in Europe, writes Yoni Ben Menachem, the Islamic Republic has more opportunity to expand its presence throughout the region—with Russia’s support:
Although the Iranians are expressing concern about the delay of the [nuclear] deal, they are also keeping an eye on the United States, which is under tremendous pressure, and rubbing their hands in glee as Putin, their ally, makes life difficult for Biden. As the war in Ukraine continues, the Iranians have begun a series of coordinated diplomatic and military moves with the Russian regime.
On February 27, 2022, General Ali Mamlouk, the head of Syria’s National Security Bureau, visited Tehran for the first time in two years and met with President Ebrahim Raisi and Ali Shamkhani, secretary-general of Iran’s National Security Council. They discussed tightening security coordination and preparations for any possible repercussions on Syria from the war in Ukraine. . . . Alongside military activity, Iran is also deepening its economic involvement in Syria.
Iran has also intensified its arms smuggling to Syria and Lebanon, including drones, precision-guided missiles, and aerial defense systems. According to Syrian sources, Israel is worried that Russia will help the Syrian army intercept its air-force planes. Hence, it has preferred to attack Iranian targets in Syria with surface-to-surface missiles instead of airstrikes.
Russia’s ongoing military invasion of Ukraine and conquest of large swaths of territory may, in the Iranians’ assessment, force Russia to transfer some of its military forces in Syria to Ukraine. As a result, Russia’s military power in Syria could decline while Iran’s military power and influence could grow.
Read more on Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs: https://jcpa.org/iran-is-exploiting-the-war-in-ukraine-to-strengthen-its-presence-in-syria/