Israel’s Defense Minister Joav Galant has again warned against Iran’s nuclear armament during a visit to the USA. “The greatest threat to the future of the world is Iran,” Galant said on Tuesday at a meeting with his counterpart Lloyd Austin in Washington, according to his office. “Now is the time to implement the commitment made by the American governments over the past few years – the promise to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.” Time is running out, said Galant. Israel has long warned against Tehran’s nuclear armament.
Since the Gaza war began following the Hamas massacre almost nine months ago, various pro-Iranian groups as well as Iran itself have attacked the country with rockets, grenades and drones.
After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently verbally attacked the US government in a video over a withheld arms shipment, Galant on Tuesday praised cooperation in defending Israel “against a massive attack by Iran and its proxies.” Israel and the US are also working together to reach an agreement in light of the fighting on Israel’s northern border. “But we also need to discuss preparedness for every possible scenario.”
For more than eight months, Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah have been shooting at each other almost daily. Recently, the intensity of the fighting has increased significantly. Washington is trying to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict – so far without success. Israel wants the militia to withdraw behind the Litani River, 30 kilometers from the border, in accordance with a UN resolution. If necessary, Israel is also prepared to use a larger military operation, Galant recently warned.
According to a report by US broadcaster CNN, senior US representatives assured members of an Israeli delegation that the US would give Israel full support should a major war with Hezbollah break out.
