Report: Israel in Talks to Allow Transfer of Iranian Oil to Syria

Israel may allow the transfer of Iranian oil to Syria as part of its membership in a regional defense alliance to contend with the Iranian threat currently being formed with Arab states, Channel 12 News reported on Sunday.

With talks toward the creation of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization-style defense alliance among Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt now being mediated by the U.S., Washington is examining a series of confidence-building steps to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table and restore the nuclear deal, according to the report.

The thinking among U.S. officials is that Israel might be willing to agree to the idea provided there is U.S. oversight, Iranian transparency, and information indicating the tankers were carrying oil and not being used to deliver weapons.

Having acted when Iran attempted to deliver weapons via tankers in the past, Israeli officials emphasized that absent American oversight and proof the shipments only contained oil, Israel would have no choice but to take action, Channel 12 reported.

Three oil tankers previously used to deliver weapons to Syria and Hezbollah are currently making their way from Iran to Syria.