Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned the Islamic Republic Wednesday that Israel’s Defense Forces are preparing for the day they may need to act to block Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Gantz made the statement during remarks at a graduation ceremony for new IDF officers.
“The IDF is currently working to build up our forces and is preparing itself for any scenario,” he said – “including one in which we would need to take operative action to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.”
The defense minister underlined the importance of regional unity in dealing with the Iranian threat, however – and for that matter, the need for global unity, given the threat of nuclear war.
“Iran is a global and regional problem before anything else, although it certainly also threatens Israel,” Gantz said. “That’s why we need to work together with our allies; with the US, with Europe, and with our new partners in the Middle East,” he said.
According to a report on Iran issued Tuesday by the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the country’s nuclear plants have so far produced 17.6 kilos of 20 percent-enriched uranium – as Iranian leaders vowed to do earlier this year. In addition, the report noted that uranium particles were discovered at four undisclosed locations. In addition, Tehran declined to reveal where the nuclear materials that were removed from the sites were currently located.
That same day, Iran announced it will no longer comply with the “Additional Protocol to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)” nuclear deal signed in 2015 and with which Iran agreed to snap IAEA inspections.
Effective Tuesday, Feb. 23, Iran officially banned IAEA inspections and refuses to allow UN inspectors on its nuclear sites.
Israel Warns ‘Iran Destroying what Remains of Nuclear Oversight, Threatening Regional Stability’
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat said, “Iran continues to stockpile enriched uranium, deceive and conceal its ambition for a nuclear weapon, and is now destroying what remains of the IAEA’s oversight. Iran’s extreme steps demand an immediate international response.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said ““Iran’s policy is a declaration of intent as to its desire to continue to secretly develop nuclear capabilities,” adding that Israel sees Iran’s move as “a threat that cannot be left without a response. We will never allow Iran the capability to attain a nuclear weapon.”
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday that Iran will continue its 20 percent enrichment of uranium and will increase enrichment up to 60 percent “based on the country’s needs.” The JCPOA nuclear deal allows for a limited 3.67 percent enrichment.
Without oversight, Iran can continue to advance its nuclear program without interference or restriction – including the development of nuclear arms.