Iranian FM criticizes Israeli threats to strike Iranian nuclear sites
3 Min Read
The Israeli threats come amid Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign, imposing sanctions on Iran in order to subjugate it and prevent it from building nuclear weapons.
-
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a joint press briefing with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi after their meeting in Tehran, Iran, Monday, December 30, 2024 (AP)
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, criticized Israeli threats to Tehran on Thursday, calling them "outrageous", following threats by the Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar that a "military option" might be needed to halt Iran's nuclear capabilities.
The Israeli FM claimed in an interview with Politico that Iran had enriched enough uranium to build a couple of nuclear bombs, adding, "I think that in order to stop a nuclear Iranian program before it will be weaponised, a reliable military option should be on the table."
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei called the Israeli FM's remarks "outrageous and irrational," accusing Israeli officials of repeatedly threatening Iran with military action while the West blames Iran for its defense capabilities, adding that in a region "scourged by an occupying entity," it is both responsible and essential for Iran to maximize its defense.
Israel planning to attack Iran nuclear sites
A senior European diplomat unveiled that "Israel" had already decided to attack Iran's nuclear sites, although the timing for such a plan remains vague, in an Al Arabiya article published January 20, “We believe Israel has taken the decision to attack following the developments in the Middle East over the last several months,” he stressed.
The report noted that the diplomat did not confirm an immediate timeline for the attack, while European nations have begun discussions with the incoming Trump administration to assess whether diplomacy or other measures could still prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, with urgency increasing as European diplomats fear a more confrontational U.S. approach toward Iran.
The Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi warned against the United States and "Israel" attacking Iran's nuclear facilities in an interview with Sky News on January 28, emphasizing that any attack on Iran's nuclear facilities would trigger an "immediate and decisive response," while questioning whether the US and "Israel" would carry out such a "crazy thing."
The Iranian Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri echoed Araghchi's statements on February 19, stating "If Iran's security is threatened, the security of the entire Southwest Asian region, the creators of insecurity and their regional allies will be threatened," adding that "Israel" and any nations who collaborate with it will be "put in danger.
This comes amid Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran, imposing sanctions to deter Iran from building nuclear weapons, prompting Iranian officials to respond by emphasizing the peaceful nature of their nuclear program.
