Gantz: Iran is no world power, it’s run out of bargaining chips

Appearing before the Knesset Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee, Defense Minister Benny Gantz says that Iran is in a weak position vis-à-vis the ongoing nuclear talks in Geneva and could be pushed into making concessions.

“Iran’s domestic situation presents an opportunity for the international community. Iran is not a leading power — its citizens are suffering as a result of the poor economic situation, investments and development have been slashed by 50 percent in the last decade, and the country faces a variety of internal and external challenges,” Gantz tells lawmakers.

“The Iranian regime is well aware of this situation and as such, Iran is coming into negotiations without real bargaining chips. It is possible and necessary to put an end to Iran’s ‘stalling’ strategy. We are deepening international cooperation, and I am certain that soon both overt and covert actions will be expanded, by a variety of means,” he says.

The defense minister adds, “At the same time, for the past year and a half, we have been engaged in force buildup, procuring new means that will ensure Israel’s defense superiority in the region in the face of all threats.”