Iran's military drills by Natanz raise nuclear tensions
Iranian armed forces have commenced air defence manoeuvres near the Natanz nuclear facility. The army and units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are participating in these exercises.
The Tasnim news agency, associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, provided information about the air defence exercises that began on Tuesday around the Natanz nuclear facility in Isfahan province.
In Iran, concerns about a potential armed conflict are increasing. Conservative politicians in Tehran are advocating for nuclear weapon tests as a deterrent.
The dpa agency notes that Israel has repeatedly threatened attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, basing its belief on the International Atomic Energy Agency's assertion that Tehran has accelerated uranium enrichment to 60 per cent, aiming to acquire nuclear weapons.
According to Western experts, there is no civilian justification for Iran's actions - only countries producing nuclear weapons have enriched uranium to this level to date. However, Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is purely peaceful.
Increasing tensions in the Middle East
The Iranian authorities worry that if Donald Trump returns to the White House, Israel might carry out an airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Experts are debating whether such actions could genuinely prevent Iran from building an atomic bomb. Meanwhile, the Israeli armed forces remain on high alert, fearing another attack from Iran.
Beni Sabti from the Israeli National Security Institute pointed out that Iran has declared a third attack on Israel. He observed that Iranian authorities appeared to be frustrated by the delay in carrying out this attack. Sabti also mentioned concerns that Iran could use ongoing exercises as a pretext for an assault, drawing a parallel to the strategy employed by Egypt and Syria in 1973.
Sabti observes that Iran could take advantage of the final days of Joe Biden's presidency, during which he believes Biden would be hesitant about a decisive response. Despite the tense situation, Sabti does not believe Iran will opt for an attack, emphasizing that Israel has enhanced its defence capabilities. "I just can't imagine them taking such a risk" He concludes.
