Israeli leaders are closely watching significant and dangerous developments in the region, particularly in military and security contexts.
In this regard, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin emphasized the necessity of keeping the army in a state of full readiness to confront any potential scenario and to defend the nation's borders under all circumstances and at all times. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated on Wednesday that attacking Iranian nuclear facilities should be on the agenda of the nation’s decision-makers, according to the Israeli newspaper "Makan." Gantz argued that the nuclear agreement signed with Iran five years ago paved the way for Iranians to reach the threshold of developing nuclear weapons and called for continued actions to limit Iran’s support for terrorist organizations and militias affiliated with it in the Middle East.
Moreover, the Hebrew newspaper "Israel Hayom" reported yesterday that the completion of manufacturing an Iranian nuclear bomb necessitates a nuclear facility and the assembly of two missile facilities along with uranium enrichment, which suggests a timeline of approximately 21 months. The enrichment of 40 kilograms of uranium means the actual manufacturing of a nuclear bomb, but it cannot be completed without those facilities.
Israeli military intelligence estimates that Iranian authorities have not yet enriched uranium at a level that would allow them to develop a nuclear bomb; however, should they decide to proceed, it would take them about two years to produce such a bomb. It is noteworthy that the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Occupation Army, Aviv Kochavi, instructed last month to prepare operational plans to deal with Iran regarding its threats in the region and the escalation of its nuclear program, requesting three plans to be presented politically once prepared.
Hebrew media outlets reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is mobilizing and preparing for a "battle" against the intention of elected President Joe Biden to return to the nuclear deal with Iran. It was noted that he intends to appoint a special coordinator to manage efforts with the Biden administration to prevent it from returning to the agreement. Netanyahu seems to be advocating for any agreement between the United States and Iran to be comprehensive, not limited to just the nuclear file, but also to include Iran's missile program and its influence in the region. Israel had urged the outgoing administration of Donald Trump in 2018 to withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran that was signed in 2015.
