Tel Aviv: As the new nuclear agreement with Iran looks very close, Israel is getting ready for the day after the agreement is a reality. While the Israeli politicians refrain from using words that will upset Washington, the head of the Israel Mossad chose harsh words in describing the situation.
In a statement quoted by the Israeli media, Mossad chief David Barnea called the new agreement with Iran on its nuclear program a “strategic disaster” for Israel. Barnea added that the US is rushing towards an agreement which is based on lies.
Following these words of the Mossad chief it seems that Israel will dramatically intensify its “shadow war” against the Iranian nuclear program, this until the Israeli defence forces are ready to act with force against the Iranian nuclear sites. At this stage, this is not the situation but preparations are underway. Earlier this week there were reports that Israeli air force F-35 flew in the Iranian airspace. This probably to evaluate the Iranian early warning systems.
The unverified report in London-based Elaph said the jets successfully evaded Russian and Iranian radars during the exercises. Drones and mid-air refuelling tankers were also reported to have participated in the “massive” drills.
In his recent meeting with Yair Lapid, Israeli prime minister, Barnea reviewed the intelligence situation and the risks involved in returning to the agreement. He warned that the signing will allow the Iranians to reach very significant capabilities, thanks to the hundreds of billions of dollars that will flow to the country once the sanctions are lifted. According to him, the money will also be used to enhance the capabilities of all terror organisations getting orders from Tehran.
Barnea also pointed to another aspect – if an agreement is signed some countries in the region, will look at Iran as a kind of “model” for a country that managed to force the west to do what it wants.
Israeli sources assess that the words of the Mossad head are a direct reaction to the somewhat “cold shoulder” Israel receives in Washington DC in recent weeks. Israeli defence minister Beny Gantz is in Washington DC right now but sources here say that the Americans do not show any sign that they are convinced by his presentation of the real intentions of Iran.
Moshe (Bogi) Yaalon, former Israeli minister of defence told Raksha Anirveda that what was said by the head of the Mossed is “too extreme”. He added that there is no doubt that the Americans will sign a new nuclear agreement with Iran. Facing this reality, Israel must get ready for any future action that will avoid the final stage – building an operational nuclear bomb.
Yaalon said that the pressure of former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on former US president Trump to withdraw from the agreement was a mistake. “Withdrawing from such an agreement without an alternative plan was a major mistake,” he opined.
Currently, Israeli minister of defence Benny Gantz is in Washington DC. On August 25, he met with the commander of the US central command (CENTCOM) General Michael Kurilla. On August 26, he met US national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
Israeli defence sources told Raksha Anirveda that these meetings are being held while Washington is fully committed to the new agreement. “The Israeli leadership realises that Israel has been left alone to deal with Iran armed with the bomb,” one of the sources said.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
