US may model Iran uranium extraction on recent Syrian nuclear operation, Israeli officials assess
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) operation to remove nuclear material from a site in Syria could serve as a model for extracting Iran’s highly enriched uranium, Israeli security officials assessed this week.
One official said in a closed forum that, amid US-Iran negotiations, “the situation with Iran remains tense. We are alert and prepared. It could deteriorate within a matter of days. Within weeks or within months. It is in the air.”
Israeli defense officials believe that, despite the slim chances, Washington is signaling that a similar model could be used in Iran under an agreement with Tehran.
Israel maintains that Iran’s regime must be significantly weakened under any scenario. Officials see a joint operation with the US as the best framework, with American forces reinforced in the region and remaining after resolving the “minefield” of the Strait of Hormuz. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has ordered high readiness in coordination with the US military.
