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Iran Awaits Zero Hour.. Netanyahu: We Consider Washington, but Our Interest Comes First
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Netanyahu's stance on Biden's warnings reflects a delicate balance between maintaining the alliance with Washington and affirming the independence of Israeli decision-making on national security issue
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority revealed Tuesday evening that the political level in Israel has identified targets to be attacked in Iran. The authority quoted a high-ranking Israeli source stating, "The targets are clear - now it's just a matter of time".
In a related context, the newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported that the responsibility for deciding on an attack on Iran will fall on only three senior officials: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Israeli Army Chief of Staff Hertzi Halevi. The newspaper added that the rest of the members of the Security Cabinet will only be informed of the broad outlines of the decision.
In a statement issued by his office, Netanyahu announced that Israel will take into account the United States' point of view, but will make its decision regarding the response to the Iranian missile attack based on its "national interest."
This statement comes in the wake of a warning from US President Joe Biden to Netanyahu about the consequences of targeting Iranian nuclear or oil facilities, to avoid further escalation in the region and amid concerns related to global energy prices.
The Washington Post had reported on Monday, quoting unnamed American officials, that Netanyahu informed Biden that the Israeli response would target military sites in Iran.
This development indicates that Israel is moving towards a calculated military response to Iran, while taking into account international pressures and fears of a wider regional conflict. The decision to limit the decision-making authority to only three officials reflects Israel's desire to maintain secrecy and flexibility in implementing its potential military operations.
Netanyahu's position on Biden's warnings seems to embody a delicate balance between maintaining the alliance with Washington and affirming the independence of Israeli decision-making on national security issues. The world remains in a state of anticipation for the potential consequences of these developments on the regional and international stage.
Levant-Agencies
