Edited by: TJVNews.com
Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz addressed The Jerusalem Post Annual Conference in New York on Monday. The conference was held at Gotham Hall.
The Defense Minister detailed two roads for dealing with the Iranian regime, looking ahead to 10 years from now in 2032.
“In today’s globalized world, every shift has a multiplying effect,” Defense Minister Gantz said. “We conclude that the security and stability in the Middle East are more important than ever. Yet they are not guaranteed.
“It [JCPOA] could happen in the next few days, it could happen in a long time, it could never happen. What is important is that Iran must be kept from nuclear capabilities.”
On the two-year anniversary of the historic Abraham Accords, Gantz compared two trends, one being the road of peace and the other being Iranian radicalization throughout the Middle East.
Defense Minister Gantz said, “Taking cue from Robert Frost today, we face two roads, not diverted in yellow woods but rather in the sand dunes of the Middle East. Today, we stand at the crossroads of where we determine where the region is heading in a decade from now in 2030.
“The first scenario I will tell you is unfortunately alarming. In this case, Iran succeeds in tearing apart the Middle East in a violent and bloody manner with three steps. First, Iran systematically bases itself in the region with its proxies, providing advanced weapons. Since the start of 2020, we have seen a sharp increase in Iran’s violent activity.
“Secondly, while the Iranian people suffer economic hardship at home, Iran spends a huge budget on terror. Today, Iran offers over $1 billion per year to its proxies in Lebanon and Yemen. The lifting of the sanctions on Iran will release more than $100 billion. And without doubt, this will let them double or triple there terror budget.
“Lastly, Iran bases itself in the region with terror infrastructure. Iran has succeeded in doing this in Syria. A network of sites across the country. Under the vision of Qasem Soleimani, Iran transforms this into production facilities for low-range missiles and weapons. In other words, we can get another iranian front, a factory for advanced strategic weapons.”
Gantz went on to detail the dangers of the underground facilities. He also revealed a map that shows over 10 different facilities in Syria’s Masyaf, used by Iran to produce advanced missiles and weapons for its proxies.
“This site, particularly the underground facility at Masyaf, holds significant danger for Israel and the region,” Defense Minister Gantz said. “In addition, the Iranians are currently working to build missile and weapon industries in Lebanon and Yemen. If this trend will not be stopped within a decade, they will advance Iranian industries across the region producing weapons and spreading terror.”
“If Iran will be allowed to gain this dangerous nuclear weapon. Our intelligence confirms reports about Iran’s progress. Iran is using more and more advanced centrifuges, including in the underground facilities.
“Not only Iran has accumulated capabilities and infrastructure, but knowledge that cannot be reversed. According to our assessment, should Iran want to do so, it can reach nuclear weapons in a matter of weeks.
“For the world, Iran’s nuclear canopy will shield itself against attack. It will cause a strategic threat that Israel will never accept.”
Gantz outlined ways to change the outcome in 2032.
“But there is another alternative scenario,” the Defense Minister explained. “A road that leads to a different middle east in 2030. This road requires leadership, unity and pragmatic steps.
“To address Iranian aggression, we must expand cooperation with regional partners. First, we must strengthen industrial and economic ties followed by military cooperation under the CENTCOM umbrella. Secondly, to face Iran’s nuclear ambitions, we cannot settle. We must insist on regional and global security. Regardless of a diplomatic solution, we must ensure credible military deterrence.
“In any future scenario, we must also build a robust intelligence coalition. This coalition is important because if an agreement is reached, it will tighten enforcement. And if no agreement is reached, it will be for ongoing monitoring purposes. Lastly, the open files, the buzzwords that are thrown around, must be addressed.
“The open files are three undeclared sites in Iran where nuclear material was identified by IAEA. Iran refuses to cooperate with international investigation because they have something to hide. We deserve answers and Iran to be held accountable.”
Defense Minister Gantz concluded his 15-minute speech by painting a picture of the life the Middle East can see if others follow the path of the Abraham Accords.
Gantz concluded, “This Middle East is not split by a radical axis. Instead, it is a map connected by regional architecture built on economic and scientific cooperation. It can be a picture of Iraqi and Bahraini investors sitting in Tel Aviv. A picture of Israeli and Moroccan paratroopers standing shoulder to shoulder. It’s a picture of an Israeli aircraft flying through Saudi airspace. It’s a signature on the Abraham Accords. It’s a new regional architecture that also includes the Palestinians.
“Unlike Frost, we know the consequences of the road not taken, and it is a dark vision in 2030. The alternative is a more secure and stable Middle East requiring us to fight radical trends and support moderate voices. It requires us to put an end to Iran’s efforts to sabotage us. Because at the end of the day, this is our shared future, for the region and for the world.”
