Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich affirmed the country’s commitment to preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power, aligning with the Trump administration’s stance. Israeli leaders emphasized the importance of military readiness and collaboration with the U.S. as Iran’s nuclear ambitions pose a considerable threat to regional security. The urgency to deter Iran’s nuclear pursuits is heightened by recent intelligence and ongoing Iranian activities.
On Monday, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich articulated the nation’s determination to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, stating that Israel aligns with the Trump administration regarding the Iranian threat. He affirmed, “We are committed to Iran not being a nuclear power,” although he refrained from detailing specific strategies during a meeting with his Religious Zionism Party’s faction in the Knesset.
Meanwhile, recent reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency indicate that Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of near-weapons grade uranium, potentially sufficient for constructing six nuclear bombs. In response to this development, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid emphasized the urgency of diplomatic and military efforts to thwart Iran’s nuclear aspirations. He stated, “It is Israel’s goal to make sure that we prevent—from any possible way—Iran from becoming a nuclear power.”
Lapid also indicated that Israel’s collaboration with the United States is crucial. He reassured that Israel would follow the lead of President Trump, who has communicated directly with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei regarding nuclear negotiations, while also asserting Israel’s right to act independently to ensure regional security.
Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz echoed these sentiments, stressing that Israel must remain prepared to act decisively if necessary. He expressed that the challenge posed by Iran is significant and poses a direct threat to the state of Israel and the broader region. Gantz asserted, “I think Iran should not be able to possess military nuclear capacity and capabilities.”
In a previous statement to Politico, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar underscored the pressing need for a reliable military option to deter Iran’s nuclear pursuits. He remarked that Iran’s enrichment activities have advanced to a concerning level, stating, “Time was running out to act against Tehran’s nuclear program.” Sa’ar also noted that diplomatic efforts were unlikely to yield favorable results and emphasized the catastrophic implications of a failure to neutralize Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Further complicating the situation, Sa’ar reported increased smuggling of Iranian arms into Judea and Samaria, correlating with a robust counter-terrorism operation by Israeli security forces. In a meeting with the UN special coordinator for Lebanon, Sa’ar warned about Iranian financial support for Hezbollah, accentuating the need for Lebanon to escape Iranian influence.
The Trump administration has reinforced its “maximum pressure” approach towards Iran, declaring that years of tolerance for Iran’s disruptive actions are over. The White House firmly stated, “Iran has been the leading sponsor of terrorism, and their pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens the civilized world. We will never let that happen.”
In conclusion, Israeli leaders, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and opposition leader Yair Lapid, have reiterated their commitment to preventing Iran from achieving nuclear capability. High-level discussions and military readiness underscore the urgency of this issue, as Iran’s nuclear program continues to progress. It is evident that both diplomatic and military strategies will be vital in addressing this significant regional threat.
Original Source: www.clevelandjewishnews.com
