IDF head: Sanctions can work on Iran

Benny Gantz says that if measures fail, regime could go nuclear in a year

Tough sanctions and international isolation could be enough to stop Iran from going nuclear, the IDF chief of staff said Wednesday, adding that if those measures didn’t work, Tehran could have the bomb within a year.

IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz made his comments at the Herzliya Conference amid rising speculation in recent weeks about a possible Israeli or international plan for a military strike on Iran.

Israel is the only country that has another country that is calling for its destruction, “and working to get the tools do so,” Gantz said.

He added that sanctions against Iran were effective, and more should be put in place, but he did not rule out a military option.

Hawkish members of Israel’s leadership have become vocal about the closing window of opportunity in which Iran’s nuclear program could be thwarted — while the more dovish leaders, including Gantz, are thought to be hesitant about such an attack, The Guardian reported.

The European Union passed an oil embargo on Iran last week. Iran responded with a threat to close off the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-sixth of the world’s oil supply passes daily.

The United States also passed sanctions against foreign banks dealing with Iran’s Central Bank.

The Middle East is “the most armed region in the world,” Gantz said. “And the bad news is that [Israel is] the target of these arms.”

The army chief added that Iran posed a threat not only to Israel, but to Arabian Gulf states and to world stability.