Israel’s Bennet Warns There are Non-Peaceful Ways to Deal With Iran

Bennett wants global powers to hold Iran 'accountable'

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennet continued his threats against Iran and warned there are non-peaceful ways to deal with Tehran’s civilian nuclear program.

Bennett accused Iran of not living up to its commitments to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). But Iran has only stopped voluntarily complying with the Additional Protocol, an aspect of the Iran nuclear deal that allows the IAEA to conduct snap inspections. Because the US withdrew from the JCPOA, Iran is no longer bound to follow this measure.

“Iran is blatantly violating the IAEA commitments,” Bennet said at the Jerusalem Post Conference in downtown Jerusalem, according to The Times of Israel. “We’re not going to wait. I expect the global powers to hold them accountable … That would be the peaceful route. There are other routes.”

Ironically, it is because of Israel’s non-peaceful methods that Iran has stopped complying with the Additional Protocol. At the end of 2020, Iran’s parliament passed a bill requiring the suspension of the Additional Protocol after Israel assassinated Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh inside Iran.

Israel’s aggression has also led to Iran increasing its uranium enrichment. The bill passed by Iran’s parliament required Tehran to enrich some uranium to 20 percent. After Israel attacked Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility in April, Tehran reacted by increasing some enrichment to 60 percent, which is still below the 90 percent needed for weapons grade.

Iran has accused Israel of being behind a June attack on a centrifuge site in Karaj, Iran. IAEA cameras were damaged in the apparent drone attack. Iran has called on the IAEA to condemn the reckless attack, but so far, the nuclear watchdog has stayed silent.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.