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Israeli army not ready to strike Iran's nuclear program

According to reports, the IDF does not have the means to effectively and seriously damage Iran's nuclear facilities right now.

Iran scientist
A woman pays her respects at the grave of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, an Iranian scientist linked to the country's nuclear program who was killed months before by unknown assailants, in Tehran on April 14, 2021. In November 2020, Iran blamed Israel for being behind the assassination of Fakhrizadeh, who headed Iran's defense ministry's research and innovation. — ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Much has been written in recent months regarding the possibility of an Israeli attack on Iran.  On Dec. 2, Mossad Chief David Barnea was quoted as saying, "Iran will not have nuclear weapons – not in the coming years, not ever. This is my personal commitment. This is the Mossad’s commitment." On Dec. 18, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that he had notified the Biden administration that he had instructed the IDF to prepare for a strike against Iran.

On the other hand, in a Dec. 18 report by the New York Times, senior Israeli officials estimated that right now, the IDF does not have the capacity to attack the nuclear facilities in Iran. Judging by other publications, the reports are rather accurate. Israel does have a basic ability to attack in Iran even today, but with less effect, and it’s reasonable to assume, with many casualties.

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