The head of Israel’s military has vowed to step up actions, including covert operations, against Iran and its nuclear program.
Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi said Israel and its intelligence community “is working against Iranian regional entrenchment throughout the Middle East”.
“Operations to destroy Iranian capabilities will continue – in various arenas and at any time,” he told a ceremony at which the army appointed Major General Aharon Haliva as its new intelligence chief.
“The operational plans against Iran’s nuclear program will continue to evolve and improve,” he said.
Israel considers Iran its greatest threat, citing the Islamic Republic’s military presence in neighbouring Syria, its support for hostile militant groups and its development of long-range missiles capable of striking Israel.
Israel suspects Iran of trying to develop a nuclear bomb – a charge Iran denies – and has vowed to prevent that from happening. The country has been implicated in a string of attacks on Iranian nuclear scientists and facilities over the past decade, but does not confirm or deny involvement.
Lt Gen Kohavi spoke as Israel’s national security adviser, Eyal Hulata, was in Washington for discussions with his US counterpart, Jake Sullivan.
Read the article in The Canberra Times (AAP).