Israeli media reports quoted government officials who questioned the accuracy and importance of the reported military assistance deal between Iran and Syria Saturday night. Among the questions raised was the amount and quality of weapons promised to Syria, with government sources saying that the $1 billion price tag for the advanced weapons – which include 400 tanks and 18 MiG 31s, the most advanced fighters in the MiG line – was far too little for the size of the deal. In addition, they said, Syria already owed Iran billions of dollars for previous assistance, and with Iran in financial straits itself, it was unlikely to extend that kind of help to Syria.
In addition, sources said that it was not even clear that this was a new deal, as Syria already has an arrangement for the delivery of MiG 31s and other weapons from Russia. The reports may have been a “plant” by Syria in its efforts to get the United States to lean on the UN not to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the murder of former Lebanese President Rafik Hariri. Syria has reportedly offered the US that it would withdraw from the “axis of evil” in return for such assistance, and the report on the Syria-Iran deal is seen as part of the Damascus' pressure campaign to get Washington's help.
In addition, sources said that it was not even clear that this was a new deal, as Syria already has an arrangement for the delivery of MiG 31s and other weapons from Russia. The reports may have been a “plant” by Syria in its efforts to get the United States to lean on the UN not to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the murder of former Lebanese President Rafik Hariri. Syria has reportedly offered the US that it would withdraw from the “axis of evil” in return for such assistance, and the report on the Syria-Iran deal is seen as part of the Damascus' pressure campaign to get Washington's help.