Netanyahu reiterates Iran is a threat to Israel

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said Iran is a threat to Israel, the Middle East and potentially the world, Haaretz newspaper said on Monday.

Israel opposes the southwest Syria ceasefire agreed by Russia and the U.S. since it would enable Iran to solidify its presence there, it said.

The accord creating a de-escalation zone in Daraa, Quneitra and Sweida regions includes areas that have seen Israel retaliate over stray fire into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from clashes between Syrian regime forces and rebels.

The Iran-backed Shiite movement is a key supporter of Syria's regime and is fighting alongside government forces.

An Israeli official said that Netanyahu opposed the deal "because of the Iranian presence" in Syria.

According to Haaretz newspaper, Netanyahu expressed Israel's opposition to the ceasefire during a Sunday meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Citing a senior Israeli official, Haaretz said Israel believed Iran aimed to expand its presence in Syria, not only in terms of military advisers but also in the form of an airbase for Iranian aircraft, a naval base and extensive military forces.

Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.

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