Our actions in Iran better left unsaid: Ashkenazi on Natanz explosion

Israel takes actions to stop the Iranian nuclear threat, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said on Sunday in response to a question about the explosion in Natanz, Iran, last week, that damaged a centrifuge production site.

“We have a long-term policy over the course of many administrations not to allow Iran to have nuclear abilities,” Ashkenazi said. “This [Iranian] regime with those abilities is an existential threat to Israel, and Israel cannot allow it to establish itself on our northern border.”

Therefore, Ashkenazi added, “we take actions that are better left unsaid.”

Ashkenazi spoke at a conference of Ma’ariv and The Jerusalem Post Group marking the 10th anniversary of Israel joining the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

His remarks came several days after a massive conflagration in Natanz caused extensive damage to the new facility where the Iranian regime said they were manufacturing a new generation of centrifuges. Many analysts said the explosion looked like it was a sabotage effort.

The Foreign Minister said Israel supports US efforts to ensure that the UN arms embargo on Iran will be extended past its original expiration date in October this year, saying Israel cannot except a situation where the regime in Teheran can buy advanced weapons systems.

“The problem is not just attaining nuclear weapons, it’s that they are arming groups across the Middle East. Look at Hezbollah in Lebanon. That is why we’re making broad diplomatic efforts across the world,” he stated.

Ashkenazi also addressed the possibility that Israel may apply its laws to parts of the West Bank, in accordance with US President Donald Trump’s peace plan. The plan allows Israel to extend sovereignty to 30% of the West Bank, but it remains unclear whether Israel will do so in the coming months and to how much territory.

“We think the Trump plan represents an opportunity,” Ashkenazi said. “It is the first time that there is a plan addressing Israel’s two biggest concerns, maintaining national security and a Jewish majority. The Trump plan gives a good response to both.”

Ashkenazi expressed opposition to moving forward with applying sovereignty without the rest of the plan.

“The plan leads to separation [from the Palestinians]. We are in favor of it, but not of a partial, unilateral step…Our opinion was heard in the negotiations” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the US peace process team, Ashkenazi said.

The minister added that he does not know what Netanyahu will decide to do, as the coalition agreement allows him to proceed without Blue and White and he has a pro-sovereignty majority in the cabinet and the Knesset, but discussions are ongoing.

“I say we need to hear the defense evaluations and legal evaluations and then make decisions,” he added. “We should be very careful of a situation that can deteriorate our security and relations with Jordan…we will pay a big price.”

As for possible damage to Israel’s relations with Europe, Ashkenazi said: “We have a challenge in European platforms if Israel takes a step like this. It’s my job and the job of my ministry to explain it.”