IDF: Iranian threat on Israel substantial

IDF Intelligence Chief says Iran's threat on Israel growing due to U.S.'s deep involvement in Iraq; MK Steinitz: Improvement in Iran's missile capabilities worrying

Moran Zelikovich
Published: 12.20.05, 14:41 / Israel News

The Iranian threat on Israel is substantial and growing; the United States is stuck in the Iraqi mud, thus enabling the threat to grow, IDF Intelligence Director Major-General Aharon Zeevi Farkash said Tuesday during a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting.

He added that Iran is working on developing a second nuclear project at high pace.

Farkash referred to the Iranian issue in Sunday's cabinet meeting as well, saying "Iran is determined to reach nuclear capabilities and obtain ground to ground missiles. It is turning into a regional power."

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"I don't see a real possibility for diplomacy preventing Iran from becoming armed with nuclear weapons. In the coming months, we will witness the end of the abilities of our diplomatic maneuvers, and that of the world, against Iran. With that, I'm not saying we have to give up. We must carry on with economic and political sanctions," Farkash added.

Steinitz: These are crucial times

In a previous briefing by the military intelligence chief at the Foreign Affairs and Defense committee, Farkash warned that Iran was in a better position to deal with international pressure over its nuclear ambitions, with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s decision not to refer Tehran to the Security Council and to explore a Russian compromise on the issue.

If international diplomacy fails to place the Iranian nuclear file on the discussion table of the Security Council by March, the diplomatic process would have failed, he said.

The committee's chairman, MK Yuval Steinitz (Likud) said Tuesday that "the military intelligence director has portrayed a very worrying and serious picture, which proves the extent of the danger Israel is facing."

"These are crucial times. Iran is determined to promote its achievement of nuclear capabilities and is even improving its missile capabilities at a worrying pace," he added.

Steinitz also said that Iran is on its way to become the strongest power state in the region, adding that such a situation would have crucial implications on Israel.

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