13 April: Israel should prepare for a potential war with Iran without relying on the US, according to a former Israeli security official.
Yaacov Amidror, who served as the head of Israel’s National Security Council from 2011 to 2013, said that recent tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as the changing geopolitical landscape in the Middle East and the shifting US priorities, make a “deterioration” in the security situation likely.
Amidror made his remarks at a conference organized by the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security on Monday, where he presented a report titled “The Iranian Challenge: Recommendations for Israel’s Policy”.
He argued that Iran poses an existential threat to Israel through its nuclear program, its ballistic missile capabilities, its support for anti-Israel groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, and its presence in Syria and Iraq.
He also claimed that Iran is not interested in returning to the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was abandoned by former US President Donald Trump in 2018 and which current President Joe Biden has vowed to revive.
Amidror said that Iran is using the negotiations with the US and other world powers as a cover to advance its nuclear activities, while also increasing its regional influence and aggression.
He warned that Israel cannot count on the US to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons or to defend Israel from Iranian attacks, as the US is focused on other issues such as China, Russia, and domestic affairs.
He said that Israel should maintain its military edge over Iran and its proxies, and be ready to act alone if necessary.