In Moscow, Lapid says Iran must be denied nukes ‘no matter the price’

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid praises Israel’s friendship with Russia in a press statement with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, during a visit to Moscow.

Lapid notes that next month will mark 30 years since the countries renewed their ties after the end of the Cold War, adding that “Russia is one of Israel’s most significant and important partners” and that he and Lavrov “discussed ways to strengthen and deepen the relations.”

“We all aspire to bring security and stability in our region and to the world. Unfortunately, there won’t be stability in Syria, or in the wider Middle East, while there is an Iranian presence,” Lapid says. “Iran is the world’s number one exporter of terror. It threatens us all.

“We will maintain our ability to defend ourselves in the face of threats from Syria and elsewhere,” he adds. “We of course recognize that Russia has key interests in the region. That is why we formed the military deconfliction mechanism – which is both necessary and effective.”

He also speaks about Tehran’s nuclear program.

“The message to Iran must be loud and it must be clear. Iran’s march towards a nuclear weapon is not only an Israeli problem, it’s a problem for the entire world,” he says. “The world needs to stop Iran from getting a nuclear capability, no matter the price. If the world doesn’t do it, Israel reserves the right to act… Israel will not allow Iran to become a nuclear state, or even a nuclear threshold state.”