Israeli strike won’t stop Iran nuclear program: ex-IAEA official
RAMALLAH, Palestine (North Press) – Dr. Olli Heinonen, former Deputy Director-General for Safeguards at the International Atomic Energy Agency, said that any Israeli raid against Iran’s nuclear facilities is technically possible.
He indicated that it could help Israel buy some time, but it would not stop Iran’s nuclear program.
Heinonen added in an interview with the pro-Netanyahu Israel Today newspaper that it is important for Israel to take into account that Iran is not Syria or Iraq.
He added that Iran always has a backup plan, and that Iranians “do not put all their eggs in one basket.”
He stressed that Iran has taken steps in advance to ensure that parts of their nuclear program would continue to operate, even in the event of any attack.
Dr. Heinonen is closely aware of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, and he spent long days in Iran’s underground nuclear sites when the program was in its infancy and after its expansion and development, according to him.
Heinonen added that US President Joe Biden should not rush into a nuclear deal with Iran, and stressed the importance of building a regional and international alliance before engaging in any new agreement.
Last month, Israeli affairs expert and analyst Nazeer Magally told North Press that “shy” contacts had been taking place in the past two months between Israel and Biden’s political team regarding the Iranian nuclear issue and other regional issues, “but they have not produced any results.”
In turn, the Israeli Walla! website reported that Benjamin Netanyahu decided to appoint National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat as his official and envoy to follow up contacts with major powers over the Iranian nuclear deal.
Officials close to Netanyahu told the website that in the coming days, Ben-Shabbat will gather a team from several ministries to form the Israeli strategy for talks with the United States and major powers regarding Iran.