Iran should remain wary of United States military action if it begins enriching uranium at a high rate, according to Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, following the report that President Trump decided against attacking Iran’s primary nuclear plant in Natanz last week.
“It is very important that the Iranians know that if, indeed, they suddenly dash toward high levels of enrichment, in the direction of nuclear weaponry, they are liable to encounter the military might of the United States – and also, perhaps, of other countries,” said Steinitz, adding he did not know Trump was deliberating taking action last week.
With potentially two months left in his presidency, President Trump met with top advisors to discuss the possibility of attacking Iran’s uranium enrichment plant in Natanz and ultimately decided against it, according to a U.S. official.
“He asked for options. They gave him the scenarios and he ultimately decided not to go forward,” said the official.
The deliberation followed a U.N. report that Iran has moved advanced centrifuges underground, which directly disregards the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA agreement, better known as the Iran nuclear deal.
The Iranian government claims their nuclear program is intended for non-military use; however, a spokesman for Iran’s mission to the UN, Alireza Miryousefi, adds that “Iran has proven to be capable of using its legitimate military might to prevent or respond to any melancholy adventure from any aggressor.”
“Any action against the Iranian nation would certainly face a crushing response,” Iranian government officials stated in response to the report about Trump’s deliberations.
The Trump Administration has taken a maximum pressure approach to the Iranian regime through withdrawal from the JCPOA, the implementation of crushing economic sanctions and the targeted killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
However, direct military action has yet to be taken due partly to Trump’s caution about entering into “endless wars.”
“If I were the Iranians, I would not feel at ease,” says Steinitz.
