Tehran and Moscow are said to be at loggerheads over the building of Iranian military installations being erected near the Syrian capital of Damascus.
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According to Arab media affiliated with the rebels in Syria, the Islamic republic is looking to establish a "command district" for Iranian forces and Shiite militias in the southern Damascus suburb of Set Zaynab, less than seven miles from the capital.
"There's still plenty more to sanction" before taking further action on #Tehran, top US official on #Iran, Brian Hook, tells i24NEWS's @ShaynaEstulin: pic.twitter.com/97cdBqGcMD
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) September 27, 2019
Tehran reportedly wants to set up a large number of accommodation, headquarters and logistics warehouses in the area, but have run into resistance from Russia, which is looking to put a halt on the plan.
According to the report, the Russians have closed down major roads to militia forces in the southern parts of the capital, fearing that the Iranian plans may provoke an Israeli military response and put their own personnel at risk.
It has also been reported that control of Damascus and its surrounding environs are currently in the hands of Syrian army units receiving direct instructions from the Russians and that their presence in the region reduces Iran's ability to operate in most neighborhoods and villages.
Moscow is said to be concerned that if Israel begins targeting the sites, it could undermine Syrian dictator Bashar Assad's control of the neighborhoods, causing a power vacuum that could provide rebel forces with the opportunity to retake the territory.
This article was originally published by i24NEWS.
