Iran is preparing to take control of Syria’s main commercial port in Latakia, advancing its plans to secure a trade route from Tehran to the Mediterranean and establishing a significant foothold on Israel’s doorstep, the Times newspaper reported.
Talks began last month to transfer the container port at Latakia to Iranian management from October 1, when its lease expires, according to The Syria Report.
That would give Tehran unhindered access to the facility, which has 23 warehouses and was handling 3 million tonnes of cargo a year before the conflict.
The current contract for the management of Latakia port is held by a joint venture between Souria Holding, a Syrian investment company, and CMA CGM, a French shipping firm.
