Iran is close to acquiring nuclear weapons after the regime’s atomic research programme was left unchecked for years, Israel warns

The Israeli Defence Secretary has warned Iran is ‘close’ to acquiring nuclear weapons after the hardline regime’s programme has gone unchecked for years.

Yoav Gallant spoke to the Daily Mail as his country braces for a retaliatory strike following the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

He also slapped down Britain’s partial arms embargo – which came days after six Israeli hostages were executed – as not a ‘positive step’ in the closed-door briefing.

Iran said only a ceasefire deal would delay its counter-strike following the hit on Haniyeh in July.

But fears are growing as Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu have still failed to reach a compromise.

The launch of a Fateh missile of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is pictured

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Hossein Salami has said ‘the nightmare of Iran’s inevitable response is shaking Israel day and night’.

Mr Gallant issued a firm rebuke at the Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv yesterday (Mon), warning Tehran: ‘We have the ability to hit any strategic goal in Iran.’

But he warned that their capabilities may soon go nuclear, with even more terrifying potential than the hundreds of missiles, rockets and drones they launched at Israel in April.

‘Iran is behind the chaos in this region,’ he said. ‘Iran is creating a war of attrition against Israel in order to gain the time and space to acquire nuclear capabilities – and they are close.

‘Each one of the 110 missiles they fired at Israel in April could have carried a nuclear device if they had it – and they can reach others.’

Iran is not believed to possess nuclear weapons but the United Nations nuclear watchdog on Monday warned that Tehran’s nuclear program has run unchecked for nearly four years.

The UK has warned Tehran against attacking Israel amid fears that a terrifying regional war could break out.

But despite this, they announced a partial arms embargo last month which puts Britain’s most important Middle Eastern ally on a par with China.

‘I don’t think it was a positive step but we will follow the situation,’ Mr Gallant said. ‘We have excellent cooperation with the different agencies in Great Britain.

‘I met with the former and current Secretaries of State for Defence since the start of the war. Secretary Healey visited recently. We will find solutions.’

Mr Gallant also said his troops are on standby to strike against Hezbollah, Iran’s terror proxy in Lebanon that has been raining down missiles on Israel’s north since.

He said if a diplomatic solution to ‘remove Hezbollah presence on our border’ fails the only other option is ‘military action’.

‘We are capable and our readiness increases day by day,’ he warned. ‘While we pursue an agreement, I have directed the IDF to prepare for every scenario, including directing our attention to the northern arena.

‘We are committed to changing the security situation on the northern front and to bringing our citizens home safely.’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (2nd R) are pictured at a military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, Aug. 25, 2024

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leads prayers with a group commanders of the Iranian armed forces in Tehran

Hezbollah joined the war a day after Hamas’ October 7 massacre by firing at Israelis with rockets and around 100,000 locals have been evacuated.

‘Do not forget that Hezbollah attacked Israel on October 8 unprovoked,’ Mr Gallant said. ‘They decided to open fire when there was a ceasefire in November. Although it is a limited war – this is the terrorist organization that we are dealing with.

‘Hezbollah is suffering significant losses as we strike operatives and assets. We have eliminated around 550 Hezbollah terrorists.

‘We do not seek war. But we have a duty to protect our citizens and our children. As the son of Holocaust survivors, for me, ‘never again’ is not just a commitment, it’s a working manual.’

Mr Gallant has had fierce exchanges with Mr Netanyahu in recent weeks over the hostages. The PM has refused to give away the Philadelphi corridor – a strip of land between Egypt and Gaza used by Hamas to re-arm – in return for a hostage deal.

The Defence Minister said yesterday: ‘Israel currently faces a strategic junction – it is an opportunity to fulfil our moral obligation to our citizens by bringing hostages home.

‘It also creates the possibility to change the security situation on all fronts. The international community must place pressure on Hamas to achieve an agreement.’