- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that his country will take all necessary action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
- Netanyahu cited an alleged statement by Vahidi (IRGC Chief) explicitly stating Iran's intention to continue developing nuclear weapons, and vowed to continue preventing Iran from possessing them.
- The authenticity of Vahidi's comments has not been verified; they first appeared on an unofficial social media account named Mossad Commentary.
- After Netanyahu's speech, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz shared a post by Channel 14 with the caption: “Finally admitting what has been obvious for years.”
- As part of the MoU Iran signed with the US, it agreed not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons; after its collapse, Trump threatened to bomb an under-construction Iranian nuclear site buried under a mountain.
- Preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons was a declared objective of the US war on Iran, which began on February 28.
- The purported quote attributed to Vahidi stated that Iran would continue working on nuclear weapons as long as the US and Israel possess them, and would disarm if they disarm.
- The site, known as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La (Pickaxe Mountain), lies near Iran's Natanz enrichment site, which was bombed during Operation Midnight Hammer; the site has remained untouched as Iran continues digging.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has reiterated his resolve to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions, stating, “As Prime Minister of Israel, I am equally determined to continue preventing Iran from possessing nuclear weapons.” This declaration follows unverified remarks attributed to IRGC chief Vahidi, who allegedly stated Iran would persist in its nuclear development efforts.1239
Netanyahu's comments were made in response to Vahidi's purported assertion that, “As long as the United States and Israel possess nuclear weapons, we will continue working on them for our national security.” However, the authenticity of these remarks remains questionable, as they were first reported by an unofficial social media account, according to Ynet news.
The Israeli Prime Minister emphasized that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons is a critical objective, echoing sentiments that have been a cornerstone of U.S. policy towards Iran since the onset of hostilities. “Today we heard Vahidi explicitly state Iran’s intention to continue developing nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu remarked, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by Iran's nuclear program.
The backdrop of these tensions includes the collapse of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iran and the U.S., which had previously aimed to curb Iran's nuclear capabilities. Following this breakdown, former President Trump had threatened military action against Iranian nuclear sites, underscoring the precarious nature of regional security.67
As the situation evolves, Netanyahu's government remains vigilant, prepared to take necessary actions to safeguard Israel's national security against perceived threats from Iran's nuclear ambitions.
“The purported quote, which first appeared on the unofficial social media account Mossad Commentary, has not been verified by Ynet. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz shared the report with the caption 'Finally admitting what has been obvious for years.'”
livemint.com
