Netanyahu: Right to Defense Against Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Putin’s Attack on Ukraine and the Vietnam War: Why There Are Ominous Parallels

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed Israel’s right to protect itself from Iran’s nuclear buildup. “The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, has just said in Tehran that an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities is illegal,” Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday.

‘Against what right? Can Iran, which openly demands our destruction, defend the destructive weapons that would slaughter us?” Netanyahu asked, according to his office. “Can we defend ourselves? It is clear that we can and it is clear that we will.” He spoke of “discussions and actions around the clock” in this regard.

Netanyahu stated, “I say this because nothing will stop us from defending our country and preventing our enemies from wiping out the Jewish state.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has agreed with Iran to monitor nuclear facilities more closely. Iran has recently continued to enrich uranium to a very high purity of 60 percent. This fueled international concerns that this material could be processed into nuclear weapons.

Israel is convinced that Iran is developing nuclear weapons and sees itself as a state in danger because the leadership of the Islamic Republic denies Israel’s right to exist. Top Israeli politicians have repeatedly stressed that under no circumstances will nuclear armament be allowed in Tehran – therefore a pre-emptive military strike cannot be ruled out. However, a possible attack on Iranian nuclear facilities is considered very risky and the chances of success are uncertain. (sda/dpa)