Defense minister Sergey Lavrov’s comment to the Syrian News Agency Friday was repeated by the foreign ministry in Moscow. DEBKAfile’s sources report Lavrov’s comment was released in reprisal for disclosures in Israel 24 hours earlier that Moscow was selling large amounts of sophisticated anti-air and anti-tank missile systems to Syria with Iranian funding. Moscow was fighting off Israel’s accusations with a threat of more pressure unless Jerusalem backed down.
The Russian minister said Israel, who has never admitted nuclear status, must join the NPT if the Middle East is to become a nuclear-free zone. Israeli has consistently refused to join the treaty and submit to international nuclear watchdog control.