Defense Minister: Israel is Ready to Strike Iran
Published August 5th, 2021 - 10:01 GMT
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz takes part in a ceremony in the northern town of Metula by the Lebanon border, on July 4, 2021, to inaugurate a monument commemorating members of the "South Lebanon Army", a proxy militia of Israel during its 1982-2000 military involvement in Lebanon, who died in fighting. / AFP / JALAA MAREY
"When a Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative in Gaza fires at Israel, he does it with the support of Iran. We know this," said Gantz.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said the country is prepared to strike Iran amid high tensions continue to mount following a deadly drone attack against a civilian commercial ship in the Gulf.
Also Read UN Must Take Action Against Iran's Piracy in The Gulf
Speaking to Ynet, Gantz was asked by Attila Somfalvi if the Jewish State was ready to strike Tehran, to which he answered "yes", adding that the Islamic Republic was a threat to the country, the Middle East, and the entire world.
#Israel is ready to strike #Iran, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Thursday as tensions between the two countries continue to mount following a deadly drone attack against a civilian commercial ship in the Persian Gulf.
Report by: @AAhronheim 👇https://t.co/aTL8f9k2pl
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) August 5, 2021
Israel considers Iran's nuclear program as the number one concern and though Tehran has always denied seeking nuclear weapons, it is believed that they are continuing to develop the capabilities to produce a nuclear arsenal and to make ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
"Iran is an international and regional problem. The world witnessed one example on Friday," Gantz said referring to the deadly attack against the Mercer Street tanker that was struck by a suicide drone.
"This could happen to anyone," he said.
#BREAKING #Israel Defense Minister says Israel is prepared to strike #Iran
— Guy Elster (@guyelster) August 5, 2021
With new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi taking over on Thursday from moderate Hassan Rouhani, Gantz said he could lead Iran to even more extreme regional and security policies.
"I'm telling the world, pay attention. It's coming."
The defense minister warned that Israel has to continue to develop its abilities to cope with multiple fronts because "this is the future."
"Iran seeks to pose a multi-front challenge to Israel and is building up its forces in Lebanon and Gaza, deploying militias in Syria and Iraq and maintaining its supporters in Yemen.
Iran is a global and regional problem and a challenge to Israel," Gantz said.
Israel, he said, is dealing with the Iranian threat in an active manner against its proxies in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.
"At the end of the day, when a Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative in Gaza fires on Israel, he does it with the support of Iran. We know this and are dealing with it on a number of levels, in various means and in several different places," he said, adding that Israel will continue to act.
Also Read The UK, Israel Accuse Iran of Drone Attacking Oil Tanker on Oman Coast
Speaking with diplomats from UN Security Council member states on Wednesday, Gantz warned that Iran had "violated all JCPOA guidelines and is only around 10 weeks from acquiring weapons-grade materials needed to build a nuclear weapon."
"Now is the time for deeds – words are not enough. It is time for diplomatic, economic, and even military actions - otherwise, the attacks will continue," he warned.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
Tags:IsraelStrikeTensionIranAttila SomfalviBenny Gantz
Via SyndiGate.info
All rights reserved © The Jerusalem Post 1995 - 2022