PM Netanyahu on Mt. Avital in Israel’s north. Photo courtesy of Haim Zach / GPO
Recent months have seen Iran attack oil shipping, shoot down a US drone and launch a wide-scale attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil industry—and it’s likely that more Iranian violence is coming, the United States and Israel confirmed this weekend. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, Commander of US Central Command, was quoted by Foreign Policy in an interview as saying on Friday that in his view, “it is very possible” that Iran will attack again. Specifically, McKenzie expressed concern about another Iranian large scale attack of drones and missiles similar to the one against the Saudi oil industry.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the general threat analysis while touring the north of the country not far from Syria—where Iran has sought to build a base of operations. “Pay attention to what General McKenzie, the head of US Central Command, responsible for US forces in the Middle East, said—that Iran is planning more attacks. I can confirm that and I can also confirm to you that we are continuing our plans to thwart this aggression by various means.”
Netanyahu, whose comments were published by his office, highlighted Iran’s efforts to transfer weapons to Syria and “turn Iraq and Yemen into bases for launching rockets and missiles” against Israel. Netanyahu said they are acting to prevent Iran from accomplishing these goals.
“Iran’s aggression in our region, and against us, continues. We are taking all necessary actions to prevent Iran from entrenching here in our region,” said Netanyahu. “…Our commitment and our readiness to struggle against Iranian aggression is absolute and we are acting with all means to prevent Iran from achieving its goals. I cannot go into more detail but this is a constant process.”
In addition to threatening the rest of the region, Iran is attacking their own citizens, who have been protesting in the country.
“In recent weeks, they have slaughtered hundreds of Iranian citizens,” said Netanyahu on Sunday in separate comments released by his office. “This is a tyrannical regime par excellence, the image and true face of which is now being exposed to the entire world. This is the largest terrorist regime in the world, regarding its own citizens as well”
On Friday, the US announced sanctions against Iranian officials who were part of the effort to censor the internet in Iran. “The United States stands with the people of Iran in their struggle against an oppressive regime that silences them while arresting and murdering protestors,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on the sanctions released by the State Department.
In view of Iran’s malignancy, Netanyahu on Sunday called for others to also participate in efforts to pressure Iran.
“I call on all countries around the world that want to achieve peace and stability in our region, and throughout the world in general, to join in the effort and apply more and more pressure on Iran, and, additionally, to support Israel as it takes action against this aggression,” said the Israeli leader.
“We have taken action and we will continue to do so.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, November 24, 2019)