Minister: US will never attack Iran’s nuclear facilities; Israel may act alone

2 February 2021, 5:42 pm Edit

This December 11, 2020, satellite photo by Maxar Technologies shows construction at Iran's Fordo nuclear facility. (Maxar Technologies via AP)

Likud Minister Tzachi Hanegbi says the United States will never attack Iran’s nuclear program, and Israel will have to decide whether to launch such a strike alone or come to terms with a nuclear-armed Islamic Republic.

“The United States will never attack the nuclear facilities in Iran, Israel must decide whether it will accept a nuclear Iran,” Hanegbi tells the Kan public broadcaster. “Israel will be forced to act independently to remove this danger.”

Hanegbi, who is close to Netanyahu, says the Iranians have proven to have a “very limited” capacity to retaliate against Israel.

“It’s possible that in the future there will be no choice [but to attack Iran militarily],” adds Hanegbi. “I hope that when our leadership is met with this dilemma, it won’t accept [a nuclear-armed Iran].”