Iranian nuclear program

On the exposure of secret Iranian nuclear facilities
Interview with Micky Aharonson

In DC, Israel’s top spy and security wonk face a mission impossible on Iran
Dr. Eran Lerman: They can move the needle a bit, but their trip is unlikely to prevent the Biden administration from barreling towards a deal with Tehran.

Sanctions relief, nothing else. Iran has no intention of forsaking its nuclear and missile programs nor its proxy wars across the region.

By ignoring Israel’s views on an issue critical to its security, Washington will cast a dark shadow over Israel’s status as a key American ally in the Middle East.

On the nuclear talks with Iran in Vienna
Interview with Dr. Emmanuel Navon

The US should be appreciative of any significant delay in Iran's breakout timetable towards a nuclear weapon. The time gained can and should be used to negotiate a "longer, stronger" agreement.

Israel, Iran on collision course as Iran vows revenge for alleged Israeli cyberattack on nuke facility
Col. Eran Lerman of JISS: The premise among Israeli defense officials is that there may come a time when Israel will enter a major war. This is a risk Israel is willing to take if there will be no other way to stop Iran.

Ex-national security adviser warns: ‘Iran has ability to harm us significantly’
Yaakov Amidror: Tehran’s willingness to use its military capabilities against Israel ‘depends on what level they want to produce this encounter.’

After Saviz strike, Israel may be in dire straits trying to battle Iran at sea
General Amidror of JISS: The endgame is to make it clear to the Iranians that they cannot strike civilian ships that have a connection to Israel. And if they continue to do that, then Israel knows how to operate against Iran.

On renewed Iran-US nuclear talks
Interview with Dr. Emmanuel Navon

On Iran's advanced enrichment of uranium at Natanz
Interview with Prof. Efraim Inbar

Israel-US dialogue is necessary about Iran’s nuclear program, since a good agreement with Iran is a clear Israeli interest. But Israel must be prepared with a military option against Iran, as a last resort.

Jerusalem views with trepidation the possibility that the Biden administration will embark on a human rights crusade in the Middle East.

On Biden Administration policies that will impact Israel
Interview with Dr. Eran Lerman

The launch of Iran's first solid propellant space rocket is highly significant.

On the interim accord between the IAEA and Iran
Interview with Dr. Emmanuel Navon

The dangerous, disappearing Persians
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Escalation in the use of force to reverse Iranian ascendance in Middle East politics, to prevent its nuclearization, and to prevent the encirclement of Israel by Iranian proxies, is probable.

JISS Briefing by Prof. Efraim Inbar, 31.01.2021

Former Israeli official: Americans should not give Iranians leverage by easing sanctions
General Yaakov Amidror: The Biden administration needs to grasp that it’s a different Middle East. I don’t think the old notions and ideas will work.

Netanyahu warns as Biden seeks reentry to Iran deal
Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror at JISS: If the US returns to the old nuclear agreement with Iran, Israel will have no choice but to act militarily to prevent Iran from manufacturing a nuclear weapon.

On US Policy Towards Iran
Interview with Prof. Efraim Inbar

A "Clean Return," without ironclad new provisions that strengthen and lengthen the JCPOA, will diminish US clout and destabilize the Mideast.

Giving Iran unearned incentives in advance of negotiations only will bring about more Iranian provocation.

With Iran nuclear deal likely, Israel puts all options back on the table
General Amidror of JISS: If the US returns to the old nuclear agreement with Iran, Israel will have no choice but to act militarily to prevent Iran from manufacturing a nuclear weapon.

Biden's Policies Toward Israel Starkly Different From Trump's, Experts Say
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Biden is a close friend of Israel. His presence in the White House is an opportunity to rehabilitate relations with the Democratic Party.

Iran and Israel: The inevitable war?
Prof. Efraim Inbar for The Brussels Times

Iran-Israel relations are essentially a zero-sum game, leaving Israel little choice but to act upon its existential instincts. Therefore, escalation in the use of force to reverse Iranian ascendance in Middle East politics, to prevent its nuclearization, and to prevent the encirclement of Israel by Iranian proxies, is probable.

Israel seeks to disrupt Iran's efforts to develop nuclear weapons, and to reverse the Iranian project to entrench its forces in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

Ex-NSC chief Amidror: Huge mistake for Biden to drop leverage on Iran
Biden should seek Iran nuke restrictions for 50 years.

Experts say Iran likely to delay retaliation against Israel for assassinated nuclear scientist
Prof. Efraim Inbar: It is wrong to assume that Iran will retaliate immediately.

Israel should seek to persuade the Biden transition team not to offer Iran any premature concessions; it should outline what would constitute an acceptable, "stronger and longer" deal; find other international actors to support the policy suggested by Israel (possibly France and even Russia); and prepare a viable military option, both to strengthen America’s negotiating hand and as an option in the case of failure to reverse Iran's present course.

To acquire greater freedom of action in dealing with Iran's quest for nuclear weapons, Israel needs to minimize tensions with the US on the Palestinian front.

Trump's Middle East peace plan and the recent Israel-Arab peace accords limit Chinese influence in the region. Countering this, China is advancing a collective security concept for the region based on the JCPOA. The US and Israel must stymie this Chinese gambit and reinforce the Abraham Accords.

UAVs, which used to be supportive weapons systems, are rapidly maturing into decisive weapons. Israel now faces threats from the entire spectrum of unmanned aerospace vehicles, ranging from Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs) to Kamikaze drones and precision ballistic missiles.

Both Biden’s and Trump’s Iran policies raise concerns in Israel
General Amidror: Israel’s redline is that Iran must not get close to a nuclear bomb. Iran can have no legitimacy for enrichment or long-term nuclear development.

Iran’s space program is more than a by-product of its missile program. It is central to the Islamic Republic's quest for regional hegemony and global power.

Will Israel strike Iran?
Prof. Inbar of JISS: The strike on Soleimani warns Iran that the option for expanded US use of force against Iran is on the table. General Amidror of JISS: Israel must navigate its path based on the assumption that it cannot... fundamentally change the situation in the Middle East, neither by political agreements nor by using military force.

On blocking Iranian progress in developing nuclear weapons
Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yaakov Amidror to i24 News

Video briefing by JISS fellow Dr. Uzi Rubin, founder and first director of the Israel Missile Defense Organization, about Iran’s space program. (July 26, 2020)

Hitting Iran where it hurts
Dr. Yossi Mansharof: Nuclear weapons would boost Iran to superpower status. Diplomacy has failed to stop the regime.

Soldiers in uniform for less time means the army has less time to train them and can make use of their skills for a shorter period. In addition, there is no benefit in releasing potential young workers early at a time of rife unemployment.

“Qods Day” reflects Tehran's determination to annihilate Israel, a pillar of Iranian foreign policy. It also is an important part of “exporting” the Islamic Revolution.

A firm stand at this critical juncture may prove to be of use as part of the effort to bring Iran back to the nuclear negotiating table on terms more acceptable to the US and to Trump's regional allies, including Israel.

Ex-security chief: Israel needs to attack Iran to stop nukes, ‘ring of fire'.
Maj. Gen. Amidror: There might come a situation where we will have to act directly in Iran to stop the Iranians. The world is not ready to act…not NATO, not the US…they prefer to close their eyes.

Israel must continue to take the offensive against Iran’s nuclear program, without reliance on international inspectors.

EXPERT: IRAN LIKELY TO CONTINUE NUCLEAR PROGRAM WHEN NUCLEAR DEAL EXPIRES
Prof. Efraim Inbar: It was quite clear that the Americans were not surprised by the speech by Prime Minister Netanyahu, and they knew about it in advance.