Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a video statement claiming that the only solution to Iran’s nuclear program is to blow it up. Netanyahu said that he and President Donald Trump “agree that Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” reported The Times of Israel.
Netanyahu claimed that this goal can be achieved diplomatically, but only if it is similar to the 2003 nuclear disarmament of Libya, during which U.S. forces destroyed or shipped out the components of the country’s nuclear program. “We go in, blow up the facilities, dismantle all the equipment, under American supervision and American execution—that is good,” said Netanyahu. If that doesn’t happen and Iran simply drags out talks, then “the option is military,” he said, adding that he and Trump discussed that eventuality at length.
Does Netanyahu think the Iranians don’t remember what happened to Qadaffi a few years later?
Iranian officials have said that many of Trump’s demands would be non-starters, whether by diplomacy or otherwise. “Trump wants a new deal: end Iran’s regional influence, dismantle its nuclear program, and halt its missile work. These are unacceptable to Tehran. Our nuclear program cannot be dismantled,” a senior Iranian official told Reuters. “Our defense is non-negotiable. How can Tehran disarm when Israel has nuclear warheads? Who protects us if Israel or others strike?” said another official.
Tehran would want to see concrete gestures from the United States before any face-to-face talks between Iranian and U.S. officials, Iranian and regional sources said. “The Iranians told us that direct talks are possible, but there has to be a goodwill gesture. Lift some sanctions or unfreeze some money,” a regional diplomat said.
