Tel Aviv, Israel – Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, in an interview with the Israeli news site Ynet on Saturday, which was also reported by Al Jazeera, asserted that Israel would not hesitate to launch new military attacks against Iran if it made what he termed a “mistake” and attempted to rebuild or renew its nuclear or ballistic missile programs. Cohen emphasized that this military option would remain in place even if Tehran succeeded in reaching a political or diplomatic agreement with the United States in the future.
Israeli intelligence assessments regarding the disruption of the Iranian nuclear program
In the same vein, Cohen claimed during the interview that Iran was on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons were it not for direct Israeli intervention and attack. He explained that Israeli intelligence assessments indicated that the joint Israeli-American military strikes had successfully delayed the Iranian nuclear program by two to four years. Furthermore, he boasted, “We have already proven our capabilities on the ground and militarily.”
Strategic plans to bypass the Straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb
In other remarks to the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot, the Israeli minister revealed that his government is working in close and direct coordination with the Israeli prime minister and the US administration to advance the establishment of an alternative logistical and energy route. This strategic project aims to completely bypass the Straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. It also seeks to avoid the current security tensions in these two maritime chokepoints, though no precise technical details regarding the route’s nature or implementation timeline were disclosed.
Tehran responds and affirms its commitment to developing its defense and national capabilities.
In response to these ongoing threats, Iran’s acting Defense Minister, Majid Ibn Reza, affirmed that his country is resolutely pursuing the development of its defense and military capabilities. The Iranian state broadcaster IRIB quoted Ibn Reza as saying that the Ministry of Defense is continuing to fulfill its responsibilities to prevent what he termed “miscalculations.” He further emphasized that national unity is the cornerstone of the country’s strength and that Tehran will spare no effort in protecting its security and sovereignty amidst regional tensions.
