Israel army appoints head of project to 'battle Iran'

Israel has for the first time set up a military department focused solely on the country's "battle against Iran", The Jerusalem Post reported on Tuesday.

Military head Gadi Eisenkot appointed senior general Nitzan Alon as "project director for Iran issues", the local daily said.

Alon has been tasked with countering Iran's "nuclear programme and presence in Syria", according to the report.

The move comes days after Chief of Staff Eisenkot met with his US counterpart to discuss developments in neighbouring Syria, amid a devastating regime offensive in Daraa province.

Israel and Iran are archenemies. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has been an outspoken opponent of a nuclear deal with Tehran and welcomed a US withdrawal from the accord.

Israel has warned Iran, which is a close allied with the Syrian regime, against building up a military presence on its doorstep and in recent months has attacked Iranian targets directly.

The Israeli military has been carrying out strikes on Iranian and Tehran-affiliated targets in Syria.