Israeli FM Lapid: Military threat against Iran’s nuclear ambitions must be option

By Ayaka Kudo / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent

12:51 JST, January 3, 2022

JERUSALEM — Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid recently indicated that for the sake of national security, Israel would not hesitate to act alone against Iran, which has been continuing its nuclear development.

“And while of course we in Israel hope for a comprehensive and permanent solution to eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat, there must be a credible military threat on the table as well,” Lapid wrote, responded in writing to questions from The Yomiuri Shimbun for the first time since taking office.

Lapid led the formation of the coalition government in the Naftali Bennett administration inaugurated last June and is scheduled to take over as prime minister in 2023, replacing Bennett.

In his answers, Lapid referred to the ongoing indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran to revive a nuclear agreement, making clear he opposes the deal.

“Iran cannot be allowed to play for time, earn billions from the removal of sanctions, deceive the world, and covertly advance their nuclear program,” he wrote.

He stressed the importance of putting pressure on Iran through economic sanctions and increased surveillance.

He also wrote that because a nuclear-armed Iran would lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, “the whole world must act with resolve to stop its nuclear program and malign activity.”