Avner Vilan, an expert on Iran's nuclear program who held senior positions in Israel's defense establishment, addressed the speculation and concern over a coming round of conflict with Iran.
In an interview on Radio 103FM today (Sunday), Vilan said: "The Iranians are preparing very intensively for the next round, both in defense and offense. Today there is nothing to talk about regarding the element of surprise vis-à-vis Iran. They are essentially stretched to the limit in their readiness for the next round as well."
"I haven't seen anything urgent," he said. "Everything related to Iran's restoration of capabilities, whether in missiles or air defense, does not justify a strike at such a sensitive time for democratic decision-making, both in Israel and in the United States."
He addressed the unusual statement by Yair Golan, who said that the elimination of the elder Khamenei was a mistake, and agreed with him: "Iran on February 27 was a fractured country after major upheavals and with a collapsing economy, and we replaced Khamenei the father with a leadership controlled by the Revolutionary Guards," he said.
He noted that Khamenei had not decided to advance toward nuclear weapons and even issued a fatwa forbidding their development. "We should be clear about what the alternative is. If the story ends with Iran having nuclear weapons, that would certainly be a mistake," he said.
