Israel’s army is capable of attacking Iran on its own without foreign support, Chief of Staff Benny Gantz told public radio on the 65th anniversary of the Jewish state’s foundation.
Asked in an interview if Israel’s military could wage attacks “alone” – without the support of countries such as the United States – against the Islamic republic, Gantz replied, “Yes, absolutely.”
“We have our plans and forecasts... if the time comes we’ll decide” on whether to take military action against Tehran,” he said.
Gantz’s comments echoed statements earlier this month by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Israel would “at no stage... abandon our fate into the hands of other countries, even our best friends.”
Israel believes the Islamic republic, which has issued numerous bellicose statements against the Jewish state, is working to achieve military nuclear capabilities. It has not ruled out a military strike to prevent this development.
Most recently last month Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said his country would “annihilate” the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa if it comes under attack by the Jewish state.
Iran denies it is developing an atomic bomb and says it needs its nuclear program for peaceful medical and energy purposes.
Israel is widely believed to be the Middle East’s sole nuclear-armed state, albeit undeclared.
Source: alarabiya
