Netanyahu, Putin to Discuss Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will discuss the Middle East, including Iran, with Russian President Vladimir Putin when they meet in the Russian resort of Sochi next week, his office said on Saturday. Israel claims Iran is trying to establish a permanent military foothold in Syria.  Netanyahu said in a speech last week that Israel was watching developments and would act against any threat, Reuters reported.  Iran has been Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's staunchest backer and provided him military advisors to help fight foreign-backed militancy. Russia, also Assad's ally, is seen as holding the balance of power in achieving a deal on Syria's future. Israeli officials have pointed to Tehran's steadily increasing influence in the region during the six-year-old Syrian conflict, via its own forces or along with allied groups, especially Hezbollah. Two years ago, Israel and Russia agreed to coordinate military actions over Syria to avoid accidentally trading fire.