The Israeli army this week conducted a major military exercise involving warplanes over the Mediterranean and warships in the Red Sea, it said on Thursday, saying it was preparing for a variety of “scenarios. “in the face of Iran, Israel’s sworn enemy.
The Israeli army was supposed to conduct an exercise based on the scenario in May 2021 of a conflict with the Palestinians that would extend to the northern border of Lebanon and Syria, and even more, but it was postponed due to the war in Gaza.
After a year -long delay, the Israeli military launched training to prepare for battle near and farwith in particular, on Tuesday, an exercise conducted by dozens of combat planes over the Mediterranean Sea that conducted flights long distanceng refueling at long target strike.
According to the Israeli press, the exercise simulated a large-scale attack against Iran, especially against nuclear sites.
Asked on Thursday byAFPthe army did not comment on this information, but confirmed it constantly preparing and training for many scenarios including threats from Iran.
Part of the exercise took place off the coast of Cyprus, as well as in residential areas on the eastern Mediterranean island, the Cypriot Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Thursday, drawing criticism from the opposition, which described military maneuvers. this number dangerous.
Cyprus ’involvement in Israel’s military plans and its land use for an exercise directed against neighboring countries […] cause risksreaction of the Communist Party Akel.
The Cypriot foreign minister, however, asserted that the joint exercise with Israel was based on fictional scenarios at does not target any country in the region.
On Tuesday, after a visit to Cyprus, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz spoke strategic links with its European Union member country, claiming they are the largest and most extensive maneuver carried out by Israel in years.
Also within the framework of these maneuvers, the Israeli army announced on Thursday an exercise with two warships and a submarine in the Red Sea to to achieve maritime superiority and of maintain freedom of movement in the regionwithout further explanation.
The nuclear issue
The Israeli army’s strategic plan for 2022 recognizes Iran as the number one threat, not only because of its nuclear program, but also because of its development of armed drones and missile capabilities.
Israel, which experts consider to be the only nuclear power in the Middle East, considers Iran’s nuclear program a threat to its security, which it accuses of wanting to capture the atomic bomb, which Tehran has always denied. .
So the Jewish state opposes the re -launch of the 2015 international agreement on the Iranian nuclear – which should prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring the atomic bomb in exchange for the removal of sanctions choking its economy – including the United States. United split in 2018.
Israel fears that this agreement will replenish Iran’s coffers, which could increase, according to Israeli officials, its assistance to allies in the region such as Lebanese Hezbollah or the Palestinian Hamas, which operate on the direct borders of Israel.
In this context, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, arrived in Israel on Thursday night and is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Friday, an official source said. Israeli without providing further details on this visit.
Source: Radio-Canada
