Syria deal requires Iranian pullback from Iraq and Lebanon, U.S. and Israel tell Russia

A possible deal on Syria was the focus of the talks held 3 weeks ago in Jerusalem. National security adviser John Bolton was joined by Meir Ben-Shabbat and Nikolai Patrushev, his counterparts from Israel and Russia, respectively.

• The Russians were seeking U.S. and Israeli agreement over the stabilization of the Bashar al-Assad regime. They also hope the U.S. will encourage Western countries to help fund the reconstruction of Syria.
• Russia is allied with Iran in Syria and has been unable or unwilling (or both) to compel Iranian forces to leave the country. The Russians claim to have pushed Iran-backed forces 60 miles from Israel's border, but Israeli officials say the groups still operate in the area.

U.S. officials tell me Bolton and Ben-Shabbat told Patrushev that the pullout of Iranian forces from Syria was a prerequisite for any deal, but insufficient.

• They said any deal must address the Iranian military presence in Lebanon — mainly precision missile factories built to arm Hezbollah.
• The U.S. and Israel told Russia such a deal should also address Iran's presence in Iraq — mainly when it comes to arming Shiite militias with long-range rockets capable of reaching Israel.

What to watch: Bolton and Ben-Shabbat told Patrushev that as a first stage, the Russians could focus on pressing the Iranians to take all of their heavy weaponry — mainly missiles and rockets — out of Syria.

“Bolton made it clear to Patrushev that, in any case, Russia is the one that needs to take the first step regarding the Iranian presence in Syria — and only then the U.S. could give them things they want."

Where things stand: The Russians gave the Iranians public backing during and after the summit.

• Last week, Vladimir Putin sent his Syria envoy, Alexander Lavrentiev, to Tehran to reassure the Iranians and brief Iranian national security adviser Ali Shamkhani on the results of the summit.
• However, Israeli and U.S. officials say the Iranians are very concerned that Israel, the U.S. and Russia could strike a deal on Syria at their expense.