Israel Must Act Alone on Iran Nuclear Program, Expert Says
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Middle East expert Yoni Ben Menachem stated that military action against Iran's nuclear program remains an option despite President Trump's hesitations. He believes Israel must act independently if Trump does not, to prevent an existential threat. Ben Menachem also commended Prime Minister Netanyahu's agreement with Trump for a gradual reduction in U.S. security aid, seeing it as a strategic move to preempt potential Democratic opposition.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Middle East expert Yoni Ben Menachem says military action against Iran's nuclear program is still possible.
- Ben Menachem urges Israel to act independently against Iran's nuclear program if Trump does not.
- He warns of an existential threat to Israel if the nuclear issue is not resolved.
- Ben Menachem praised Netanyahu's agreement with Trump on gradual U.S. aid reduction.
- The expert believes Netanyahu's move preempted Democratic legislative actions against Israel.
Middle East expert Yoni Ben Menachem believes the stalled negotiations over Iran's nuclear program leave military action as a viable option, despite President Trump's reservations. Ben Menachem, a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, told Arutz 7 that the final word on military action against Tehran has not yet been spoken.
He described Trump as impulsive, prone to changing his mind, and suggested that Israeli officials report that negotiations with Iran are deadlocked, particularly regarding the unresolved nuclear issue. Ben Menachem stated that as long as the nuclear issue remains unresolved, the military option is on the table. He added that following the Republican Party's midterm election losses, Trump would be unwilling to accept an Iranian humiliation or political defeat, especially in the form of a deal worse than the 2015 agreement.
Ben Menachem emphasized that if Trump does not initiate an attack, Israel must take action independently to destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities or eliminate its leadership, warning of an existential threat if Israel fails to act. He also addressed Prime Minister Netanyahu's agreement with President Trump for a gradual reduction in U.S. security assistance to Israel. Ben Menachem praised Netanyahu's move as well-calculated, noting that it preempted potential legislative actions against Israel by the now Democrat-controlled House and Senate, effectively pulling the rug out from under them.
He explained that by agreeing to the gradual reduction before the midterm elections, Netanyahu and Trump prevented Democrats from claiming a political victory at Israel's expense.
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