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Middle East conflict

Israel mulls surgical strikes on Iran's nuclear assets amid diplomatic deadlock — expert

Commenting on possible support from Washington for such operations, Vladimir Mesamed drew attention to US President Joe Biden’s public promises to Israeli officials that he would "never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon"

MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. Israel, supported by the US, may resort to conducting precision strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure if no diplomatic solution regarding Tehran's nuclear program is found, Vladimir Mesamed, a researcher at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem has told TASS.

"Israel has said as much that if the world community abandons us and does nothing to actually prevent Iran from making nuclear weapons, we will be forced to resort to other ways of addressing this issue," the expert said. "If there is such a deadlock, we may resort to a military solution. This does not mean a war with Iran, nor does it mean some very serious developments in the military sphere. It just means depriving Iran of its nuclear infrastructure."

Commenting on possible support from Washington for such operations, Mesamed drew attention to US President Joe Biden’s public promises to Israeli officials that he would "never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon."

"Several times in recent years we have asked the US government to explain what is behind this rhetoric. Often, Biden responded vaguely. Then it was sometimes clarified in some way, and they said they would help with a military solution, meaning it would not be an Israeli attack. Israel would not want [to be alone] in carrying out such an attack, such a military option, but it will involve American participation," the expert explained. "What form will it take? There were many possibilities, like providing the latest weaponry specifically for this operation. Also, they mentioned very powerful diplomatic support, which in principle is being provided."

In this context, the Israeli specialist noted that a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear program seemed "unrealistic" at this point.

"There have been ever more steps by Iran all the time, which indicate that they still want a diplomatic solution. They are making various statements, and they are even holding talks [with the US] in Oman. But there is nothing positive for us about this, because they have already accumulated a substantial stockpile of nuclear capital. So, these speculations that may sound soothing to Israel, in our opinion, have no future. Israel sees no prospects for a [diplomatic] solution. If so, then a solution of a different sort is coming to the fore," Mesamed concluded.

Middle East conflict

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