From the Liveblog of
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Gantz meets US defense chief, warns of Iran’s ‘hegemonic’ aspirations
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Defense Minister Benny Gantz meets his US counterpart Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, discussing bilateral ties, the Iranian threat and Israel’s qualitative military edge (QME) in the Middle East.
Gantz’s office says the defense chiefs held a “meaningful discussion that reflected the historic bond and strategic ties between the US and Israel.”
“The ministers discussed emerging challenges and opportunities in the region, with a particular focus on the developing challenge vis-à-vis the Iranian nuclear program and its regional aggression,” the statement says.
In his remarks at the meeting, Gantz says: “Iran is not just a threat to our physical security. Iran poses a concrete threat to our way of life and our shared values. In its aspirations to become a hegemon, Iran seeks to destroy all traces of freedom, human dignity and peace in the Middle East and beyond. The nuclear program is a means to its hegemonic goals.
“I look forward to deepening our dialogue and cooperation vis-à-vis Iran, including on topics of military readiness. Iran is the biggest threat to global and regional peace and stability and building an existential threat to Israel,” he says, adding: “Iran is playing poker with a bad hand and it’s playing on time.”
The Times of Israel Community.