Mossad chief says Iran still determined to build nuclear bomb
The head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency said Iran will seek to revive its nuclear program if given the chance but that Israel would thwart its ambitions to acquire a weapon.
The head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency said Iran will seek to revive its nuclear program if given the chance but that Israel would thwart its ambitions to acquire a weapon.
“The idea of continuing to develop a nuclear bomb still beats in their hearts. We bear responsibility to ensure that the nuclear project, which has been gravely damaged, in close cooperation with the Americans, will never be activated,” David Barnea said at an award ceremony for agents in Jerusalem late on Tuesday.
Iran denies seeking a nuclear bomb but Israel along with the United States and Western countries doubt its intentions.
Israel launched a surprise military campaign on Iran in June which was capped off with US strikes on the country's main nuclear sites.
The conflict came after two months of negotiations which failed to win Iranian agreement to a US demand that it end domestic uranium enrichment.
Israeli attacks killed Iranian nuclear scientists as well as hundreds of military personnel and civilians. Iranian counterattacks killed 32 Israeli civilians and an off-duty soldier.
Despite the military setbacks to Tehran, it insists enrichment is its right and called Israeli and US actions aggression which aimed at its sovereignty and progress.
“The ayatollahs’ regime woke up in a moment to discover that Iran is exposed and thoroughly penetrated, yet Iran has not given up its aspiration to destroy the State of Israel,” Barnea continued.
“Iran believes it can deceive the world again and realize another bad nuclear agreement,” he continued. "We did not and will not allow a bad deal to come to fruition.”
US President Donald Trump said his June 22 attacks had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear program and that any attempt at rebuilding will trigger renewed US strikes.
Iran has rejected US demands that it end enrichment, curb its missile program and rein in support for armed allies in the region, leaving diplomacy at a stalemate.
