Israeli Military Chief Says ‘We Have the Ability to Hit Iran’

The US recently proposed joint military planning with Israel on Iran

The head of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) threatened Tuesday that Israel could soon take action against Iran over its nuclear program and said the IDF has “the ability to hit Iran.”

Iran is currently enriching some uranium at 60%, a step the country took in response to an Israeli sabotage attack on its Natanz nuclear facility in 2021. But Tehran has still shown no sign that it’s decided to develop a nuclear weapon, which requires uranium enriched at 90%.

But IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi claimed there are potential developments in Iran’s nuclear program that could spark Israeli military action. “Without going into details, there are possible negative developments on the horizon that could prompt action,” he said.

“We have abilities and others have abilities. We have the ability to hit Iran. We are not indifferent to what Iran is trying to build around us, and it is difficult for Iran to be indifferent to the line we are taking,” Halevi added.

Often missing from the conversation about Iran’s nuclear program is the fact that Israel has a secret nuclear arsenal. Israeli officials push a narrative that a nuclear-armed Iran would spark an arms race in the region while their own country already has nukes.

Also on Tuesday, Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said the US and Israel agreed on what the “red line” would be for an attack on Iran related to its nuclear program but didn’t specify what the red line is. “We are sending the message — so is the US — that if you cross the red line, the price you will pay as a regime and as a country is one you wouldn’t want to pay, so be careful,” he said.

Hanegbi’s comments came after Axios reported that the US had proposed to start conducting joint military planning with Israel on Iran. According to the report, Israeli officials are wary that the US proposal could be meant to tie their hands and are seeking clarification on what joint planning would entail.

Author: Dave DeCamp

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