Iran is unimpressed with the West's steps against the Islamic Republic's nuclear program so far, and Israel must prepare for the possibility of striking the Iranian nuclear program on its own, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon warned Tuesday, during an Independence Day speech he delivered to guests at Herzliya.
Describing the Iranian nuclear program as "the most significant" threat not only to Israel, but to the Middle East and the "modern world," Ya'alon said Tehran's drive for nuclear capabilities could end in disaster.
"It could spark an arms race in the Middle East, and cause nuclear weapons to spread to terror organizations. This situation could be a nightmare for the Western world," he warned.
"The world's response to the Iranian nuclear program was delayed. The fact that centrifuges in Iran are continuing to spin, and that enriched uranium has already been collected, proves that the regime in Tehran is not impressed by these steps taken so far. Even more so, the regime in Tehran does not identify determination in the Western world to stop its nuclear project, and it therefore allows itself to continue to develop it," the defense minister continued.
"Only by placing the Iranian regime before the dilemma of having a bomb or [risking its] survival will lead to the project being stopped.," he said.
"Only a significant increase in sanctions, international isolation, assistance, as well as moral support to the repressed citizens of Iran, and a credible military option, will convince the regime in Tehran that its survival is preferable to the military nuclear project," he added.
Israel should not lead the campaign against Iran, Ya'alon said, but Israel is the first target of the Ayatollah regime, he added, citing threats by Iranian rulers to destroy Israel.
"The world must lead the campaign against Iran, but Israel must prepare for the possibility that it will have to defend itself with its own powers," he said.
"As someone who experienced wars and lost friends, subordinates, commanders, and brothers in arms, I'm convinced that using military power is the last resort. As the defense minister of Israel, I must do all I can in my decisions to avoid sorrow and bereavement... But we must be prepared to use military power if we must, and to overcome our enemies sharply, clearly, and quickly." During his speech, Ya'alon said that ins ome senses, "the War of Independence hasn't ended yet. Security forces are facing, and will continue to face in the coming years, challenges on various fronts, from near to far, along our borders, and in states that are not close to us." Conventional military threats have decreased, but terrorist organizations, rockets, missiles, and Iran remain a threat, he said.
"The threats have only changed, taken on a different form, [they're] evasive, slippery, uncurbed, and can surprise and cause damages to Israel and its citizens." Hezbollah and Hamas are armed with tens of thousands of rockets of different types, and on the day they receive the order, "they'll fire them at our cities and civilians. Although Hezbollah is busy these months with combat on behalf of the regime of Basher al-Assad in Syria, it is ready for a conflict with Israel, with Iranian and Syrian assistance," he added.
"Lebanese citizens and their leaders must understand that for every Hezbollah attack on us, the organization and Lebanon itself will be considered responsible and will pay the price," Ya'alon said.
The brutal Syrian civil war presents security risks, but also opportunities, he added.
"The fact that Arab states are busy with themselves and their survival... prevents them from focusing on us," Ya'lon said.