By Dan Williams
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s top commander said on Tuesday even though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s national security adviser downplayed the immediate threat posed by a new underground nuclear site Tehran is drilling. Instead, he raised the possibility of “action” against Iran.
Efforts of the world powers to negotiate new curbs on Iran’s uranium enrichment and other potential bomb-making projects have so far been futile, fueling years of intimidation by Israel if it determines diplomacy has stalled, We are going to resort to force.
“Iran is enriching uranium more than ever before … a negative development that could lead to (military) action is imminent,” said Israeli commander-in-chief Lt. Gen. Helzi Halevi in a speech. Stated.
He did not elaborate on what those developments were like or who might take what actions.
“We have the capability, other countries have the capability,” Halevi said at the Herzliya meeting of the International Security Forum, apparently alluding to Israel’s ally, the United States.
Experts are divided as to whether the Israeli military has the leverage to inflict lasting damage to Iran’s widely dispersed and defended nuclear facilities. Iran has denied searching for the bomb and has vowed devastating retaliation for any attack.
There is also speculation that Israel will use countries bordering Iran as springboards for attacks. One such country, Azerbaijan, has dismissed the idea despite its strong ties to Israel.
Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Faris Ruzayev said at the conference, “We refrain from interfering in (other countries’) disputes and affairs, such as granting or giving away our territory for some operations and adventures.” .
The Associated Press reported Monday that Iran is building a new underground facility in the Zagros Mountains to replace an exposed uranium centrifuge manufacturing center near Natanz that exploded and caught fire in July 2020.
“Of course, this limits our ability to carry out attacks, which is of course easier than on ground facilities. Israel’s National Security Adviser Tzatsi said. Hanegbi said at a press conference.
After the 2020 incident, Iran announced in 2021 that it is moving part of its centrifuge manufacturing base to “deep in the mountains near Natanz,” where Iranian engineers have been excavating for many years. bottom.
Mr. Hanegbi declined to suggest an explicit attack on Israel, pointing out that it has a large stockpile of GBU-43/B bombs not in Israel’s arsenal, and even suggesting responsibility lies with the United States. .
In any case, Hanegbi added, “This[underground facility near Natanz]will take years to complete.”
US wants to pursue diplomacy with Iran, but allies are thinking “eye-to-eye”, with big differences about potential “red-line” of last-resort military action No, he said.
(Writing by Dan Williams; Additional reporting by Francois Murphy of Vienna; Editing by William McLean)