New satellite images have substantiated that Iran is building another permanent military base in Syria, Fox News reported Wednesday.
The images, taken by Israeli firm ImageSat International, clearly show what is believed to be a new Iranian base in Jabal ash Sharqi, a mountainous area eight miles northwest of Damascus.
The base is believed to be operated by the Quds Force, the Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite division responsible for overseas operations.
The images show two new white hangars, which Western intelligence sources said are likely used to store medium- and long-range missiles capable of hitting all of Israel.
The base is similar to an IRGC base that was destroyed in December. Syria has accused Israel of carrying out the strike that leveled the base.
Speaking with Israel Radio, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman responded to the report, saying, "There's nothing new under the sun, and there is no need to treat every media report as absolute. We are closely monitoring these events."
Last week, The New York Times published a comprehensive report detailing the multiple permanent bases the Islamic republic has built in the war-torn country.
The report identified three main Iranian bases that "oversee operations in large parts of Syria" – one near Aleppo in the north and two south of Damascus. It also cited the existence of "seven smaller tactical bases near active front lines where Iran and its proxies have a presence.
Over the weekend, ImageSat International images revealed that Russia has deployed its Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jets in Syria.
The Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets were spotted stationed at the Hemeimeem Air Base, a Syrian base operated by Russia southeast of the city of Latakia. It is widely believed that Moscow is using the Syrian conflict as an operational "baptism by fire" for the jets.
