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Source: https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/11/07/world/middleeast/ap-ml-syria-us-iran.html
U.S. Syria Envoy: U.S. to Contest Iran Activities in Region
(AP-New York Times) Bassem Mroue - The U.S. will focus on pressuring Iran financially and contesting its activities in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, Ambassador James Jeffrey, the U.S. envoy to Syria, said Wednesday. Jeffrey said the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran had a bad effect on Iran's behavior that "accelerated its activities." In Syria, Jeffrey said, "Iranians are part of the problem, not part of the solution," adding that Tehran should eventually withdraw all Iran-commanded forces from Syria. Jeffrey expressed concern about Russia's delivery last month to Syria of sophisticated S-300 air defense systems after the downing of a Russian plane by Syria forces. "In the past, Russia has been permissive in consultations with the Israelis about Israeli strikes against Iranian targets inside Syria," he said. "We certainly hope that that permissive approach will continue." Jeffrey said Israel has an "existential interest in blocking Iran from deploying long-range power projection systems such as surface-to-surface missiles" and drones aimed at and used against Israel.