Netanyahu Warns of 'Irreparable Damage' from Iran's Acquisition of Nuclear Weapons

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, warned in an interview with Fox News about the possibility of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, emphasizing that the damage from this issue would be 'irreparable.' In the exclusive interview on Friday night, the Israeli Prime Minister clarified that his problem with Iran is not merely the potential violation of the nuclear agreement but that even if Iran does not violate this agreement, it will still be able to 'freely' enrich uranium after 12 years. Mr. Netanyahu, whose country recently hosted the U.S. Secretary of Defense, described the Iranian government as a 'terrorist Islamist regime,' stating that the damage caused by its access to nuclear weapons is 'irreparable,' and emphasized, 'We cannot allow this to happen.' He noted that the only way to ensure this does not happen is if 'we are determined in implementing our policies.' The statements from the Israeli Prime Minister, who has been a staunch opponent of the negotiations for a nuclear agreement with Tehran since the beginning, echo sentiments expressed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused Iran of not adhering to the 'spirit of the nuclear agreement' and emphasized that his administration is closely examining this issue. On Thursday night, Mr. Trump reiterated that the nuclear agreement with Iran is a very bad deal that should never have been signed and that Iran is causing 'extraordinary damage' to the signed agreement through its actions. These remarks have prompted reactions from Iranian officials, including the Iranian Foreign Minister, who accused the U.S. of not adhering to either the spirit or the text of the JCPOA. The Israeli Prime Minister had emphasized in late January that he had five strategies to counter the nuclear agreement, which he would discuss with Donald Trump. Following that, in a meeting between the leaders of the two countries in late February, Donald Trump stressed that Israel faces significant challenges, including Iran's nuclear ambitions, and promised that the U.S. would never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated last week in a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives that Iran has complied with the provisions of the JCPOA so far, but concerns about Iran's role as a 'state sponsor of terrorism' remain, and several U.S. government entities under the President are evaluating the benefits of the JCPOA for U.S. national security. One day after the release of this letter, Mr. Tillerson emphasized that Washington is conducting a comprehensive review of its policies towards Iran, stating that the nuclear agreement has only delayed Iran's acquisition of nuclear weapons and has 'failed' in preventing this issue.