Ehud Barak Discusses Iran's Nuclear Threat and Israel's Military Options
The former Israeli Prime Minister emphasizes limited effectiveness of military action against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
LONDON: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has stated that military action by Israel alone will not suffice to significantly delay Iran's pursuit of nuclear capabilities.
In a recent interview, Barak characterized Iran as a "threshold nuclear power", emphasizing the urgency and complexity of the situation.
Barak indicated that Israel's ability to counter Tehran’s nuclear program is limited, suggesting that while military options exist, their effectiveness is constrained.
"In my judgment, it’s not a secret that Israel alone cannot delay the nuclear program of Iran by a significant time period.
Probably several weeks, probably a month, but even the US cannot delay them by more than a few months," he remarked.
He noted that while immediate acquisition of a nuclear weapon may not be imminent, Iran would still need to finalize certain weaponization processes, potentially including detonation of a crude nuclear device for demonstrative purposes.
Military strikes against Iran, Barak acknowledged, pose significant risks.
However, he argued that Israel believes it must take action rather than remain passive.
He stated, "Instead of sitting idle, Israel feels that they have to do something.
Probably together with the Americans we can do more."
Barak posited that halting Iran's advancing nuclear program necessitates either a considerable diplomatic solution or a regime change within Iran.
He asserted, "My judgment is that because Iran is already what’s called a threshold nuclear power, the only way to block it is either to impose upon it a convincing new agreement or alternatively a full-scale war to topple down the regime." According to Barak, such actions would require close cooperation with the United States.
However, he expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of Washington pursuing significant military intervention.
"I don’t believe that any American president, neither Trump nor any one of his predecessors, would have decided to do that," he stated.
The context of Barak's comments comes amidst ongoing military actions, with Israel conducting airstrikes across Iran for a third consecutive day, as tensions escalate.
Iranian missile attacks have reportedly targeted buildings in Israel, with Israeli emergency services confirming the deaths of at least 10 individuals due to these retaliatory strikes.
Concurrently, Iranian authorities have reported over 128 fatalities attributed to Israeli bombardments.
In a recent interview, Barak characterized Iran as a "threshold nuclear power", emphasizing the urgency and complexity of the situation.
Barak indicated that Israel's ability to counter Tehran’s nuclear program is limited, suggesting that while military options exist, their effectiveness is constrained.
"In my judgment, it’s not a secret that Israel alone cannot delay the nuclear program of Iran by a significant time period.
Probably several weeks, probably a month, but even the US cannot delay them by more than a few months," he remarked.
He noted that while immediate acquisition of a nuclear weapon may not be imminent, Iran would still need to finalize certain weaponization processes, potentially including detonation of a crude nuclear device for demonstrative purposes.
Military strikes against Iran, Barak acknowledged, pose significant risks.
However, he argued that Israel believes it must take action rather than remain passive.
He stated, "Instead of sitting idle, Israel feels that they have to do something.
Probably together with the Americans we can do more."
Barak posited that halting Iran's advancing nuclear program necessitates either a considerable diplomatic solution or a regime change within Iran.
He asserted, "My judgment is that because Iran is already what’s called a threshold nuclear power, the only way to block it is either to impose upon it a convincing new agreement or alternatively a full-scale war to topple down the regime." According to Barak, such actions would require close cooperation with the United States.
However, he expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of Washington pursuing significant military intervention.
"I don’t believe that any American president, neither Trump nor any one of his predecessors, would have decided to do that," he stated.
The context of Barak's comments comes amidst ongoing military actions, with Israel conducting airstrikes across Iran for a third consecutive day, as tensions escalate.
Iranian missile attacks have reportedly targeted buildings in Israel, with Israeli emergency services confirming the deaths of at least 10 individuals due to these retaliatory strikes.
Concurrently, Iranian authorities have reported over 128 fatalities attributed to Israeli bombardments.