Air force key to defending against Iran, Netanyahu says

Days before the deadline for an Iranian nuclear deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told young pilots Thursday that they would be at the forefront of safeguarding the Jewish state.

“Foremost among the threats endangering our security is the Iranian effort to arm itself with a nuclear weapon,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office quoted him as telling newly graduated pilots receiving their wings.

“Whatever may be, Israel will always defend itself and in that, the part of the air force is a major one,” he said.

Netanyahu’s remarks appeared to constitute an implicit threat to Iran, ahead of a June 30 deadline for a nuclear deal.

“This agreement is fundamentally flawed,” he said. “It leaves in Iran’s hands the path to achieving a nuclear arsenal within a decade.”

Iran denies planning to acquire such weapons and says its nuclear ambitions are peaceful.

The deal would row back Iran’s nuclear program in return for relief from sanctions, a prospect Israel has long opposed.

Israel says Iran can not be trusted to keep its word on a deal and has not ruled out the use of military force.