Israel announced it will deploy a laser defense system within a year. This statement was made on Tuesday by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who confirmed that the country will accelerate the deployment of laser-based interceptors as part of a plan to reduce the significant costs currently incurred in intercepting missiles. Bennett emphasized the importance of surrounding Israel with a "wall of laser" to protect against missiles, projectiles, drones, and other threats.
He discussed Israel's efforts to counter what it perceives as Iranian attempts to encircle it with armed groups capable of crippling its infrastructure with a barrage of low-cost projectiles. The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced in June that it had utilized laser technology in a series of tests. Yaniv Rotem, head of the research and development department at the Ministry of Defense, explained that the new laser system, installed on a small civilian aircraft, targets any flying object, including drones, projectiles, missiles, and ballistic missiles.
On another Iranian front, Bennett stated that the Vienna nuclear negotiations with Iran are taking place "under the fire of excellence." He added in media statements that a campaign to undermine Tehran is being waged on several fronts, confirming that Tel Aviv's strategy against Iran will remain unchanged, with or without an agreement.
He emphasized that easing sanctions on Tehran would lead to an increase in its destabilizing activities in the region. Recently, Bennett stated in an interview with the Jerusalem Post that Israel will continue its strategy to combat Iranian aggression regardless of whether world powers reach an agreement with Iran in the Vienna negotiations. He remarked, "The Israeli strategy does not depend on whether there is an agreement or not. We will protect ourselves, and even if there is an agreement, we are not bound by it, and we will maintain our freedom to act."
Bennett publicly expressed opposition to easing sanctions on Iran, stating, "We and the Americans do not agree on everything." He warned that "the deal that would send tens of billions of dollars to the corrupt and weak regime in Tehran would be a mistake, as this money would be directed towards terrorism against Americans and their allies in the region."
He added, "When the money enters Iran's coffers, they attack American soldiers through their proxies." He further explained, "Iran is very weak, its currency is collapsing, its regions lack water, and there are large protests against the government." He continued, "Iran plays with a very weak hand but is deceptive." The Prime Minister stated that Israel conveyed the message to its friends in the United States and Europe negotiating with Iran that the mullah regime should not receive "the money."
