Iran Could Send 80K Fighters to Syria, Netanyahu Tells EU Ministers

TEL AVIV — Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned Europe that Iran is establishing bases and sending troops to Syria.

Speaking to reporters at the end of a two-day trip to Europe, the prime minister said that Iran was could send some 80,000 Shiite fighters to the war-torn country and this would cause a renewal of religious wars across the globe.

“If Iran realizes its threat, it will do so by sending 80,000 Shiite fighters – and this will bring a renewal of religious wars,” Netanyahu said, referring to Iranian intentions to fill the vacuum in Syria after Russia and Western powers exit the country.

Netanyahu made the comments during a briefing to Israeli reporters after concluding an informal breakfast with EU foreign ministers, according to Ynet. He had earlier held an official press conference with EU foreign policy Chief Federica Mogherini.

The breakfast, according to Ynet, was arranged by the Lithuanian foreign minister without coordinating with Mogherini first.

During the meeting with the foreign ministers Netanyahu said that Europe should “move to a new sort of discourse on this region.”

Netanyahu’s comments on Iran came a few days after airstrikes destroyed a reported Iranian base in Syria. Israel is believed to be behind the attack but did not officially claim responsibility.

Netanyahu’s comments also came just days after Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani spoke with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and pledged that the Islamic Republic would support Hamas in its struggle against Israel.

Israeli officials last week warned that the IDF would not let Iran establish a military presence within 40 kilometers of Israel’s Golan Heights border.