Tel Aviv - Israel was apparently not surprised on the morning of Nov. 22 by the Iranian news agency ISNA report that the country has begun to enrich uranium to 60% purity at its underground Fordo site. Analysts explain that this move brings Iran technically closer to weapons-grade levels of 90% enrichment. The Israeli security system has been warning for several months that Iran is continuing its nuclear program, mainly regarding the enrichment of uranium.
With that in mind, former Likud Minister Tzachi Hanegbi said Nov. 4, “[Prime Minister-designate Benjamin] Netanyahu will move to destroy Iran’s nuclear [infrastructure] during his coming term.” In a first interview after the Likud’s election win, this close associate of Netanyahu noted, “If he [Netanyahu] won’t act, Israel will face an existential threat. … Negotiations between Iran and world powers have actually stopped. Unless they result in agreement, or the United States takes independent action, Israel will have to do so. Just like [late Likud Prime Minister Menachem] Begin did in 1981 and [former Prime Minister Ehud] Olmert in 2007.”
