Israel has the capability to carry out a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities and must be prepared to act if diplomacy fails, opposition leader and former defense minister Benny Gantz said in an interview aired Saturday on Israel’s Channel 12.
“I think Israel can strike in Iran,” Gantz said, adding that “there is a convergence of necessity and opportunity.”
He said Israel has developed its military capabilities over many years and that recent regional and operational developments make a potential strike more feasible. “An operational situation has developed that allows this strike more easily than in other places,” he said. “I think we should prepare this strike.”
Gantz said that while cooperation with the United States would be preferable, Israel must be ready to act independently if necessary. “It is possible to act in coordination with the Americans. It is preferable to act in cooperation with them... but we must be prepared for a strike.”
Gantz added that he supports a diplomatic agreement if it prevents Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and includes unrestricted monitoring. “If there is a good agreement that rolls Iran back... then they should present the evidence,” he said. “But we must prepare the strike.”