Israeli Army Commander: We Have Prepared Ourselves for a Possible Attack on Iran
General Kohavi stated that he has ordered the Israeli army to prepare itself for a possible attack against Iran in the coming year. He also warned against the United States’ return to the JCPOA, describing this action as strategically and operationally detrimental.
The commander of the Israeli army stated that he has ordered his forces to prepare themselves for a possible attack against Iran in the coming year.
General Amir Kohavi on Tuesday, January 26, in a speech at the Institute for National Security Studies, while announcing this news, warned the Biden administration against the United States’ renewed return to the nuclear agreement with Iran, even if conditions of this agreement are tightened.
General Kohavi described the return to the JCPOA, even with some positive changes, as “strategically and operationally bad.” In his view, this agreement allows Iran to advance its nuclear program; a program that according to him is “an unacceptable threat” and would lead to the spread of nuclear competition in the region.
The Israeli army commander stated that given Iran’s recent threats against the country, the Israeli army is preparing itself for an attack on Iran if necessary.
Kohavi said: “I have ordered the army to prepare for a number of operational programs in addition to those that previously existed. We are working on these programs and will expand them throughout the coming year. Of course, the decision-making is up to the political leaders, but these programs are on the table.”
Dual Pressure on the Biden Administration
Both Israel and Iran have increased pressure on Joe Biden, the new U.S. president, albeit in two opposite directions. Just before Kohavi’s speech, Ali Rabiei, spokesman for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s government, warned the Biden administration about returning to the JCPOA and said: “The window of opportunities does not remain open forever.”
On the other hand, Israeli officials, including General Kohavi, say that following the Trump administration’s sanctions against Iran, the Islamic Republic has been placed in a much weaker position. They say that the provision related to the “sunset clause” should be removed from any agreement with Iran; this is one of the provisions of the JCPOA, based on which Iran can resume its nuclear activities after 10 years.
Contrary to the new American administration, Israel believes that the JCPOA agreement cannot prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from building nuclear weapons. For this reason, the country welcomed America’s withdrawal from this agreement in 2018.
Israel also wants any agreement with Iran to include discussions on the long-range missile program as well as the military involvement of the Islamic Republic in support of Israel’s enemies in the region.
On the last day of Donald Trump’s presidency (January 19), the Islamic Republic conducted a missile drill by firing cruise missiles in the Oman Sea. Iran also has missiles with a range of two thousand kilometers that are sufficient to target Israel and military bases in the region.
