Justifying recent attacks, West Jerusalem alleges Tehran was close to acquiring nuclear weapons.
Former UK Ambassador to Iran, Richard Dalton, states there’s no proof Iran is a nuclear threat to Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted Iran was nearing nuclear weapon development shortly after Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian territory last week.
Dalton told Sky News last week that “There is no evidence in the public domain” that Iran was about to weaponize nuclear materials. He pointed to US intelligence that indicates “no change in the basic assessment” that Tehran decided “to develop nuclear weapons in accordance with their own defense doctrine, which is to eschew weapons of mass destruction.”
Dalton added, “So, we are entitled to disbelieve Netanyahu’s claims that there was some recent change in Iranian policy and behavior until evidence is put in the public domain.”
Israel commenced bombing Iran last Friday, claiming Iran was close to completing a nuclear bomb. Iran denied these claims and responded with drone and missile strikes against Israel.
According to an Iranian human rights group based in Washington, the Israeli assault has reportedly resulted in 585 deaths, including 239 civilians, and over 1,300 injuries. The Israeli Government Press Office reported on Wednesday that Iran’s retaliatory missile attacks caused 24 deaths and 804 injuries. They also stated that approximately 3,800 individuals have been evacuated due to the ongoing tensions.
In 2015, Iran and the US, along with other European powers, signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which limited uranium enrichment in exchange for the easing of sanctions. In 2018, then-US President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement, reinstating all sanctions and prompting Iran to gradually reduce its commitment to the accord. Since then, foreign inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have only been granted limited access to Iranian nuclear facilities.
Currently, Iran enriches uranium to 60% purity, exceeding the 3.67% limit stipulated in the now-defunct agreement.
Russia has condemned Israel’s airstrikes, urging de-escalation and warning that strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure could lead to a “nuclear catastrophe.” In a statement on Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Israel’s attacks on peaceful atomic sites violate international law and threaten global stability.
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