JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will discuss with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday what he calls Iran鈥檚 鈥渁ggression鈥� and attempts to expand its military presence in Syria.
Netanyahu along with Israeli security officials have repeatedly expressed concern over what they see as Iran moving to expand its presence in the Middle East.
Netanyahu will neet Putin at the Black Sea resort city of Sochi on Wednesday. Both Russia and Iran back Syrian President Bashar Assad鈥檚 regime in the war.
鈥淚 will raise the problem of Iran trying to establish a military presence in Syria,鈥� Netanyahu said in a statement on Tuesday.
鈥淭his proves that Iran鈥檚 aggression has not diminished since the nuclear agreement, which has become a problem not only for Israel, but for all the countries of the Middle East and the entire world.鈥�
The head of Israeli spy agency Mossad, Yossi Cohen, and Netanyahu鈥檚 newly named head of his national security council, Meir Ben-Shabbat, will join him on the trip.
Netanyahu opposes a southwest Syria cease-fire recently agreed by Russia and the US because he believes it would enable Iran to solidify its presence in the country, an Israeli official has said.
An Israeli intelligence official said in April his country fears an 鈥淚ranian crescent鈥� may be forming in the Middle East because of Tehran鈥檚 influence in Syria and its connections with regional Shiite groups.
Beyond concerns over Iran, Netanyahu鈥檚 talks with Putin are also likely to involve coordination in Syria.
Russia and Israel have established a 鈥渉otline鈥� to avoid accidental clashes in the country.
Israel has sought to avoid being dragged into the six-year Syrian conflict, but has acknowledged carrying out strikes to stop advanced weapons deliveries to Hezbollah, the Lebanese group with which it fought a devastating war in 2006.
Hezbollah also backs Assad鈥檚 regime in the Syrian war.