New Delhi: Asserting that Israel and the US are in complete sync with each other, Israeli envoy to India Reuven Azar Tuesday said that Tel Aviv will continue to degrade Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities to the extent it is possible by Israel.
He said it is up to the US to decide on its security goal. The Israeli Ambassador was replying to a query by ThePrint on whether his country has sought American help to target Iran’s Fordow nuclear enrichment plant.
While Israel has penetrating munitions, it would need American help to destroy the Fordow plant which is a fortress built deep within the mountains. It is estimated to be 300 feet underground. Only US’ 15-ton bunker-buster bomb, GBU-57A/B Massive Ordinance Penetrator, is thought to be capable of targeting it.
Though Israel has targeted over ground power plants at the site, the actual target remains heavily fortified deep within.
“We are in complete sync with the United States. You saw the statements of our prime minister. We are very grateful for what the United States is doing to support us, supplying us the means to defend ourselves, resupplying us with ammunition and sending different forces to the region, like two THAAD missile batteries and Aegis ship… and generally speaking, we are in very good coordination,” he said.
The envoy added, “Having said that, each country makes a decision that best serves their national security. We are not telling the United States what to do and what not to do, and they will have to decide, according to their national interest, what is in their interest to do.
“And there is a debate about that in the United States, and then they will sort it out. We will continue to do whatever we can with our capabilities in order to degrade that programme to the best that we know,” he said.
Asked by another journalist about the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) being against attacking nuclear assets for fear of any leaks, the envoy said there has to be a balance found between hitting illicit activity of Iran in the best way that one can, with minimal damage.
“If you would actually refrain from attacking any illicit nuclear activity of the Iranians, actually, you would give permission to the Iranians to have their way and to do whatever they want. So, of course, I’m not going to agree with that.
“We are going to continue our dialogue with the IAEA in order to assess the situation and see how we can continue attacking what we have to attack, but at the same time to minimize casualties and of course, radioactive states,” he said.
To another question on Israeli strikes, he said, Israel continues to have a bipartisan voice, and he engages equally with people from all parties and all regions of India.
“Whoever wants to engage with us, we will engage with them. I’m in touch with the very prominent people in the Congress Party, and will continue this dialogue. Sometimes people are more critical of you. It doesn’t mean that they are not your friends. They have concerns. So if they are willing to engage and they still consider themselves our friends, we, of course, consider them our friends,” he said.
Azar also said that Israel is in touch with India over the Iran issue and understands New Delhi’s concern and emphasis on global stability. He said he was thankful to the Indian government for its principled stand.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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