Israel could let Iran send oil to Syria under US-arranged agreement: reports

Israel could let Iran send oil to Syria under an agreement arranged by the US, Israeli media said, as discussions on restoring a global nuclear pact with the Islamic Republic are set to restart.

Three ships are currently en route to Syria from Iran, The Times of Israel cited Israel's Channel 12 broadcaster as reporting on Sunday.

Israel will support the oil agreement only if the US oversees the whole process and if Iran behaves transparently, as it seeks to avoid weaponry being shipped, according to Channel 12.

Vessels have, in the past, brought weaponry to Syria and Lebanese Hezbollah militants, the broadcaster reported.

The oil deal is said to be part of a loosening of sanctions before a new round of negotiations on securing a return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal take place.

These indirect discussions between Iran and the US will take place in Qatar, according to an Iranian media adviser who works on the atomic issue.

Israel, itself the only Middle Eastern country known to have an undeclared nuclear weapons programme, has long stood firmly against a renewed Iran nuclear agreement.

But Israeli media outlet Ynet on Sunday said multiple generals have started to back a restored atomic deal, though no source was provided for this claim.

The original 2015 pact broke down after former President Donald Trump pulled the US out in 2018 and started placing crushing sanctions on Iran.

Tehran started breaching its obligations under the accord the next year.

Israel has bombed Syria hundreds of times since war broke out there in 2011.

Earlier this month, its forces targeted Damascus International Airport, forcing it to close for nearly two weeks.