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Option to physically remove enriched uranium from Iran exists, fmr. defense minister Gallant says

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that an option exists to physically extract Iran's enriched uranium, despite the operation's inherent dangers.
  • Gallant criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu's perceived "display of weakness," suggesting it has led to Israel paying a heavy price.
  • US President Donald Trump previously indicated that the US could obtain Iran's enriched uranium without a deal, though he noted a military operation would take at least two weeks.

Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant revealed that a military option exists to physically remove Iran's enriched uranium from the country. Speaking on Army Radio following a new wave of missile attacks from Iran, Gallant acknowledged that such an operation would be dangerous but deemed it "worth paying the price to avoid an existential risk." He asserted that he had previously overseen even more dangerous operations.

worth paying the price to avoid an existential risk, I never sent people on more dangerous operations than what I did myself.

โ€” Yoav GallantGallant describes the potential risks and justifications for a military operation to extract Iranian uranium.

Gallant also directed criticism at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of a "display of weakness in the last month" and stating that Israel is now "paying a heavy price" for it. He claimed that Netanyahu is "bringing back the equation perception."

display of weakness in the last month, claiming that Israel is now "paying a heavy price" for it.

โ€” Yoav GallantGallant criticizes Prime Minister Netanyahu's leadership.

The issue of Iran's enriched uranium has been a central point of contention in negotiations between the United States and Iran. Earlier, US President Donald Trump had commented on the matter, telling reporters that Washington did not require a deal to secure enriched uranium from Iran. He suggested the US could obtain it immediately and that Iran could not prevent it, though he added there was no current need as the material was "entombed."

Netanyahu is bringing back the equation perception.

โ€” Yoav GallantGallant elaborates on his criticism of Netanyahu's approach.

Trump further elaborated that a military operation to forcibly extract Iran's enriched uranium supplies would necessitate at least two weeks. He explained that reaching Iran and conducting such an operation would require significant time and equipment, stating, "Getting there [Iran] is not like Venezuela. You have to be there for two weeks. You need a lot of equipment."

could get it right now. I don't think they could stop us if we wanted, but there's no reason to. It's entombed.

โ€” Donald TrumpTrump discusses the US's capability to acquire Iranian enriched uranium.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.