"Can't Stop the Centrifuge with Words Alone"
Fierce Criticism Calling President "The Butcher of Tehran"
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, in his first speech at the United Nations General Assembly since taking office, warned against Iran's nuclear development and stated that he would not tolerate Iran possessing nuclear weapons, hinting at the possibility of unilateral military action. He fiercely criticized Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, calling him "the butcher of Tehran" and accusing Iran of supporting major terrorist organizations in the Middle East.
On the 27th (local time), Prime Minister Bennett said in his UN General Assembly speech, "Iran's nuclear program has crossed all limits and reached a critical point. Words alone cannot stop the centrifuges from operating," and strongly warned, "We will never allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons." This is interpreted as a declaration that Israel will prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons even if it requires unilateral military action.
Bennett's remarks came following a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last month, which assessed that Iran has made progress in enriching metallic uranium potentially usable for nuclear weapons. Israel, known as the only unofficial nuclear power in the Middle East, has been highly sensitive to Iran's nuclear development.
Israel is believed to have conducted a so-called "shadow war," including airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and covert operations involving agent deployment to disrupt activities without revealing the attacker. The fire at an Iranian Revolutionary Guard research facility that caused three casualties the day before is also suspected to have been orchestrated by Israel.
Prime Minister Bennett further condemned Iranian President Raisi as "the butcher of Tehran," stating, "For the past 30 years, Iran has spread massacres and destruction across Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and the Gaza Strip in the Middle East." He strongly criticized Iran for supporting all forces engaged in conflict with Israel, including Lebanon's armed group Hezbollah, Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime, and the Palestinian armed group Hamas.
Bennett's remarks are expected to complicate international discussions on the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). Earlier, the six parties to the nuclear deal, including the United States, Iran, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China, had been negotiating the restoration of the deal since early April, but since the talks were temporarily suspended in June, no schedule for resumption has been set.
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