Israel's Defense Minister said Iran has resumed attempts to develop nuclear weapons

Statement by Israel's Defense Minister

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Iran has allegedly resumed attempts to develop nuclear weapons, adding that the mission against the Islamic Republic is not yet complete. RIA Novosti reported this, citing his remarks, as written by Gazeta.Ru. According to Katz, Tehran is trying to renew its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons alongside other serious efforts that put Israel in real danger. «We cannot tolerate these threats,» the minister said.

Context: intelligence and the US position

The statement came against the backdrop of recent elections to Israel's parliament and the upcoming formation of the next government: Katz called on Israelis to unite. Earlier, as reported, Israel passed intelligence to the United States about Iran's possible preparation to use chemical weapons against its adversaries and shared such data with the countries of the Persian Gulf. However, some representatives of those states questioned Tehran's intentions and suggested that Israel's actions were aimed at pushing the US and its allies toward escalating the conflict. In addition, earlier Trump allowed for US strikes on a nuclear facility in Iran.

What is important to keep in mind

The claim that Iran's nuclear program has resumed comes personally from Israel's defense minister and is not supported in the publication by independent data or any reaction from Tehran. It is also telling that even the recipients of the Israeli intelligence in the Persian Gulf countries reportedly viewed it skeptically. Thus, at this point this is a statement by the Israeli leadership, not a confirmed fact; Iran's position and possible further steps by the parties remain unknown.