Israel and US issue veiled warnings to Iran

Israel and US issue veiled warnings to Iran Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and the US issued veiled threats against Iran on Wednesday from Jerusalem and New York. “The State of Israel will always defend itself, by itself, against any external threat,” Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said at a special memorial ceremony for the founder of political Zionism Theodor Herzl, at the military cemetery in Jerusalem named in his honor. “Israel won’t let its hands be tied when it comes to ensuring our security. We will act firmly, creatively and continuously, in the face of emerging threats, both from near and far,” Bennett added. It was a line that hinted at potential Israeli reaction to Iran, which threatens Israel from its own territory and from its proxy forces on Israel’s borders, particularly in Syria and Lebanon. It was similar in tone and style to statements issued against Iran by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Bennett spoke as the United Nations Security Council in New York debated Iranian compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, signed between Tehran and six powers; the US, Russia, China, France, Great Britain and Germany. The deal was designed to curb Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for the suspension of international sanctions against Iran. Earlier in the day on Wednesday, Bennett met at his Jerusalem office with US Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy Michael Ratney. On Monday President Reuven Rivlin met with US President Joe Biden in Washington and the two men discussed Iran. “Iran will never get a nuclear weapon on my watch,” Biden said. He also discussed with Rivlin Sunday’s US air strikes against Iran-backed militia in Iraq and Syria, this time in response to drone attacks by the militia against US personnel and facilities in Iraq. The US military said it targeted operational and weapons storage facilities at two locations in Syria and one location in Iraq. It did not disclose whether it believed anyone was killed or injured but officials said assessments were ongoing.