Israel’s defense minister has warned that Iran is “close” to acquiring nuclear weapons after years of impunity for the radical regime’s program.
Yoav Gallant spoke to the Daily Mail as his country prepares for a retaliatory strike following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
He also criticised Britain’s partial arms embargo – imposed days after the execution of six Israeli hostages – calling it not a “positive step” during the closed briefing.
Iran said only a ceasefire could delay the counterattack after the attack on Haniyeh in July.
But fears are growing as Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu have still failed to reach a compromise.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant
The launch of a Fateh missile from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps is pictured
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Hossein Salami said “the nightmare of Iran’s inevitable response shakes Israel day and night.”
Mr Gallant yesterday (Monday) issued a stern rebuke to the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, warning Tehran: ‘We have the capability to achieve any strategic objective in Iran.’
But he warned that their capabilities could soon go nuclear, with a potential even more terrifying than the hundreds of missiles and drones they fired at Israel in April.
“Iran is behind the chaos in this region,” he said. “Iran is creating a war of attrition against Israel to gain time and space to acquire nuclear capabilities — and they are close.
“Every one of the 110 missiles they fired at Israel in April could have carried a nuclear bomb if they had one — and they can reach others.”
Iran is not believed to possess nuclear weapons, but the United Nations nuclear watchdog warned on Monday that Tehran’s nuclear program has continued unhindered for nearly four years.
The UK has warned Tehran not to attack Israel amid fears it could spark a terrifying regional war.
Despite this, they announced a partial arms embargo last month, aligning Britain’s key ally in the Middle East with China.
“I don’t think it was a positive step, but we will monitor the situation,” Mr Gallant said. “We have excellent cooperation with the various agencies in Britain.
“I have met former and current Ministers of Defence since the beginning of the war. Minister Healey recently visited. We will find solutions.”
Mr Gallant also said his forces are ready to attack Hezbollah, the Iranian terrorist organisation in Lebanon that has since been firing rockets into northern Israel.
He said that if a diplomatic solution to “remove Hezbollah’s presence on our border” fails, the only other option is “military action.”
“We are capable and our readiness is increasing by the day,” he warned. “As we pursue an agreement, I have instructed the IDF to prepare for any scenario, including focusing our attention on the northern arena.
“We are committed to transforming the security situation on the northern front and bringing our citizens home safely.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (center) and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (2nd from right) are pictured at a military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, August 25, 2024.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leads prayers with a group of Iranian Armed Forces commanders in Tehran
Hezbollah entered the war a day after the Hamas massacre on October 7, firing rockets at Israelis. About 100,000 residents have been evacuated.
“Remember, Hezbollah attacked Israel on October 8th without provocation,” Mr. Gallant said. “They decided to open fire when there was a ceasefire in November. Although it is a limited war – this is the terrorist organization we are dealing with.
‘Hezbollah is suffering significant losses as we target operatives and assets. We have eliminated approximately 550 Hezbollah terrorists.
“We do not seek war. But we have a duty to protect our citizens and our children. As the son of Holocaust survivors, ‘never again’ is not just a commitment to me, it is a manual.”
Mr Gallant has had heated arguments with Mr Netanyahu over the hostages in recent weeks. The prime minister has refused to give away the Philadelphia corridor – a strip of land between Egypt and Gaza that Hamas uses to rearm – in exchange for a hostage deal.
The defense minister said yesterday: “Israel is currently at a strategic crossroads: it is an opportunity to fulfill our moral obligation to our citizens by bringing hostages home.
“It also creates the opportunity to change the security situation on all fronts. The international community must put pressure on Hamas to reach an agreement.”