Russia-Iran military cooperation negative for 'Israel': DoD
Iran and Russia's military cooperation is very bright on the US radar, with Washington telling the occupation that their bilateral relations are dangerous for the region as a whole.
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US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, left, and Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant make a joint statement following their meeting at Ben Gurion International Airport, 'Tel Aviv', occupied Palestine, March 9, 2023 (AP Photo)
Military cooperation between Russia and Iran bears negative repercussions for the Israeli occupation and the entire region of the Middle East, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin claimed Thursday during a meeting with Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant.
"Secretary Austin provided updates to Minister Gallant on Russia's unprovoked war of choice in Ukraine. He noted the negative implications for Israel and the broader Middle East from increased military cooperation between Iran and Russia," the Pentagon said in a statement after the bilat in occupied Palestine.
Furthermore, according to the Pentagon statement, Austin highlighted that Tehran may gain battlefield experience with the kamikaze drones Russia is currently using.
Read more: Sanctions, blockade insufficient against Iran UAVs: National Interest
The repercussions of Russia transferring sophisticated military technology to Iran may be felt throughout the entire region, the senior US defense official added.
Despite the warnings about cooperation, the Israeli occupation discussed with the United States a bilateral defense partnership, including the JUNIPER OAK exercise, which was recently concluded between the two sides and had been attended by over 7,000 Israeli occupation forces and US troops. Meanwhile, the Pentagon said both parties agreed to continue cooperation in that area, i.e., the military sphere.
Ukraine and its western allies have long been accusing Iran of supplying drones to Russia in the midst of the war. However, Tehran's statements once again struck down the allegations as false, proving that the Iranian drones seen in Ukraine's airspace were not provided to Moscow as the war was ongoing.
Iran had given a small batch of drones to Russia, but it was before the Ukraine war broke out, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in November 2022.
The top Iranian diplomat went on to remind how Tehran requested that Kiev provide it with proof and documentation of Moscow's use of Iranian UAVs.
"Secretary Austin expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the West Bank. He urged that immediate action be taken to implement commitments made during the high-level meeting in Aqaba, Jordan on February 26," including the Israeli occupation forces, the statement read.
It also noted that Austin called on the Israeli Ministry of Security to continue working with the United States Security Coordinator and with the Palestinian Authority Security Forces to reduce violence and restore calm.
Despite official Jordanian warnings against the current occupation government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, Jordan hosted a five-year security summit in Aqaba to implement the US "Fenzel plan", with the participation of "Israel," the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, and Jordan, under American auspices.
According to Israeli media, the summit aims to continue and consolidate the agreements reached between "Israel" and the Palestinian Authority days earlier, within the framework of postponing the UNSC vote on condemning Israeli settlement expansion.
Israeli website Walla! explained that the US administration pushed for holding the summit as part of "an attempt to reach a state of calm before the upcoming month of Ramadan, out of fear of large-scale violent confrontations in the West Bank."
