On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett declared that his country would take military action against Iran if the international community failed to stop Tehran’s nuclear program, which Israel views as a threat to its security.
In his remarks at a weekly cabinet meeting, Bennett said that Israel has made it clear to the world that it would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.
He warned that Iran is approaching the threshold for producing nuclear weapons, as it has resumed enriching uranium to a level that could be used for such purposes.
Bennett’s comments come after Iran announced last week that it would increase its uranium enrichment to 60%, a significant jump from the 20% level it had previously reached. Iran says the move is in response to an attack on its Natanz nuclear facility in April 2021, which it blames on Israel.
Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the Natanz attack but has been suspected of carrying it out. It has also been reported that Israel has carried out other covert operations against Iran’s nuclear program.
Bennett’s tough talk on Iran is in line with Israel’s long-standing position on the issue. The country has repeatedly stated that it sees a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat and has threatened military action to prevent it.
However, Bennett’s comments also come at a time when Israel is grappling with a series of domestic political challenges.
The prime minister leads a fragile coalition government that includes parties from across the political spectrum, and he faces pressure from both the left and the right on issues ranging from the economy to the conflict with the Palestinians.