Syria and Iran to form united front against enemies

IRAN and Syria yesterday announced plans to form a united front to confront possible threats to them.

Meanwhile, Israel said Iran was just six months away from a nuclear bomb and Russia said it wanted to supply Syria with advanced missile systems, moves likely to anger the US.

“In view of the special conditions faced by Syria, Iran will transfer its experience, especially concerning sanctions, to Syria,” Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran’s first vice president, was quoted as saying after meeting Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otari.

“At this sensitive point, the two countries require a united front due to numerous challenges.”

The report did not specifically mention the challenges, but both countries are under US economic sanctions and the targets of intense American pressure.

The United States has accused Iran of seeking to produce nuclear weapons, while relations with Syria have deteriorated, especially since Monday’s assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Yesterday, Russia said it wanted to supply Syria with advanced missile systems.

“Talks are under way with this country to sell it Strelets air defence short-range missile systems,” the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.

The statement said Strelets missiles can only be used when attached to a heavy vehicle - which officials believe makes them less attractive to militants than the relatively cheap shoulder-fired missiles.

Meanwhile, Israel claims arch-foe Iran was just six months away from having the knowledge to build an atomic bomb.

“The question is not if the Iranians will have a nuclear bomb in 2009, ’10 or ’11, the main question is when are they going to have the knowledge to do it,” Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said in London.

“We believe in six months from today they will end all the tests and experiments they are doing to have that knowledge.”

Israel plans to buy 500 “bunker buster” bombs from the US that could prove effective against Iran’s nuclear facilities, many of which are underground.