Netanyahu: Iran Rebuilding Nuclear Program After Israeli Strikes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed new intelligence on renewed Iranian nuclear activity during a covert visit to the United Arab Emirates, CNN reported overnight Tuesday. According to the report, Netanyahu shared with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed information indicating that Tehran is attempting to rebuild its nuclear program.

A senior Israeli official involved in the meeting told the American network that the intelligence presented by the prime minister included details of new construction at the Khojir site, located approximately 225 kilometers south of Tehran. The site is considered a central hub in Iranian efforts to restore the nuclear program following Israeli strikes that damaged the regime's nuclear capabilities.

According to the report, Netanyahu warned during the meeting that Israel assesses Iran may launch an attack in the region in the coming weeks. A similar warning has been voiced by Israeli experts, who estimate that Tehran may initiate escalation ahead of the US midterm elections in order to pressure the American administration.

CNN claims that a senior Saudi official also participated in the secret meeting, indicating the regional coordination taking place between Israel and Gulf states in the face of the Iranian threat. The meeting reflects the shared concerns of regional states over Iranian attempts to rebuild its strategic capabilities.

Netanyahu at the Kotel (Photo: Prime Minister's Office)

Israeli Commitment

The prime minister recently pledged at the Kotel that "as long as I am prime minister, Iran will not have nuclear weapons." Netanyahu said then: "President Trump announced this evening that Iran is trying to arm itself again with nuclear weapons, this is correct. After we destroyed its immediate capability to produce nuclear bombs both in Operation Below the Belt and in Operation Roar of the Lion, they are trying again."

The report on the new intelligence comes against the backdrop of diplomatic efforts by mediating countries to pressure Iran to agree to concessions in its nuclear program. However, at this stage Tehran has shown no signs that it is prepared to do so, and demands explicit guarantees that Israel will not attack it again.

Experts assess that even after the end of the current round of fighting, Israel will need to continue acting over time to prevent Iran from rebuilding strategic capabilities that were damaged. "We will need to act from time to time to maintain the achievement in Iran," former Navy Commander Rear Admiral (ret.) Eliezer Marom said recently.