JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A sceptical Israel saw potential positives in Syria's acceptance to surrender control of its chemical weapons to Russia, hoping the mooted deal would make Iran think twice about its nuclear project.
Israeli officials had expressed dismay in private about U.S. President Barack Obama's handling of the Syria crisis, fearful his hesitant response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria would only embolden Iran - the prime protector of Damascus and the focus of Israeli concerns about a potential nuclear threat.