Israeli Official: Military Action Against Iran Still Possible

An Israeli government minister stated on Monday, April 6, that despite last week's agreement between six major world powers and Iran, military action against the country's nuclear program remains a plausible option. According to the Associated Press, Yuval Steinitz, Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs, emphasized during a press conference that while Israel prefers a diplomatic solution, a 'military solution' is still on the table. He stated, 'The military solution has been on the table, is still on the table, and will continue to be. Israel must defend itself against any threat. It is our right and duty to decide how to defend ourselves, especially when our national security and existence are at risk.' Under the agreement between the six major world powers and Iran, economic sanctions against Iran will be lifted in exchange for limitations on its nuclear activities. However, Israeli leaders believe that this agreement leaves many of Iran's nuclear facilities and infrastructure untouched, allowing Iran to maintain sufficient capability to develop and build nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Mr. Steinitz, a trusted ally of Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that the Israeli government will engage with leaders of the six major world powers in the coming months to advocate for a tougher stance in the final negotiations with Iran. The Associated Press notes that given the long-standing hostility between the two countries and the rhetoric from some Iranian leaders calling for the destruction of Israel, Iran's support for anti-Israeli militant groups, and its development of long-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran as a threat to its existence. Israel, which is itself considered a nuclear power, argues that a nuclear-armed Iran could trigger an arms race in one of the world's most volatile regions. After years of negotiations, the six major world powers and Iran reached a framework agreement on the nuclear deal last Thursday in Lausanne, Switzerland. The goal of this agreement is to significantly reduce Iran's capability to develop nuclear weapons technology in exchange for easing economic sanctions. According to the terms of this agreement, Iran commits to reducing its nuclear capacities for ten years and limiting some of these activities for five years. Iran is also obligated to cooperate continuously with inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Benjamin Netanyahu believes that under this agreement, many of Iran's nuclear facilities and infrastructure, including research facilities and uranium enrichment centrifuges, will remain untouched. He also states that Iran's support for armed militant groups throughout the Middle East is overlooked in this agreement.