Latest news with #Barak
France 24
16 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
Iran air defences 'confront hostile targets' over Tehran: state media
05:34 19/06/2025 'Aid being deliberately engineered' to displace Palestinians, NGO says Middle East 19/06/2025 As US considers joining operation against Iran, 'region reaching tension levels not seen in decades' Middle East 19/06/2025 In Tel Aviv, residents flock to overnight bunkers to avoid missile strikes Middle East 19/06/2025 Israeli government in 'full bore' campaign to persuade Trump to join Iran war Middle East 19/06/2025 'I may do it, I may not': Trump weighs US involvement in Israel-Iran war Middle East 18/06/2025 Toppling Iran's regime only way to end nuclear program, says former Israeli PM Barak Middle East 18/06/2025 Ehud Barak asserts US won't battle Iran in full-scale war: 'US has not won any war in last 75 years' Middle East 18/06/2025 Israeli government 'defiant' as conflict with Iran escalates Middle East 18/06/2025 'Trump did not have the desire, the courage, or the will to tell Israelis not to start this war' Middle East
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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Inside Netanyahu's campaign to destroy Iran's bunker nuclear sites: Here's what Israeli expert says
Despite being Israel's principal objective, the destruction of Iran's nuclear sites has barely been achieved so far. As these underground sites remain out of bounds to Israel, Israel is looking at US President Donald Trump to join the war with his 'bunker buster' bombs. Here is how the joint Israel-US war on Iran may play out — or what happens if he wouldn't join. read more More than four decades after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei committed the Islamic Republic of Iran to the destruction of the Jewish state, Israel has dealt catastrophic blows to the ayatollah's regime — the military leadership has been decapitated, air defences have been destroyed, critical infrastructure and military sites stand battered, and the Supreme Leader remains in hiding. But Israel needs US help to go the final mile. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set the destruction of Iran's nuclear capabilities as the principal objective of 'Operation Rising Lion'. As Israel does not have capabilities to destroy Iran's underground nuclear sites, that's an impossible objective unless Israel's principle partner, the United States, steps in. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The war might appear as a gamble as the success rests on whether US President Donald Trump joins or not, that is not the case and the decision to launch the war was a calculated move, says Daphne Richemond Barak, a professor of international relations at the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy & Strategy at Israel's Reichman University. Despite being the principal objective, the destruction of nuclear sites is the one that's least achieved so far as the Fordow nuclear site, which houses Iran's most advanced centrifuges that produce near-weapons grade uranium, remains standing. But that may change soon as Trump sought Iran's 'unconditional surrender' on Tuesday and appeared to set the tone for military action. ALSO READ: As Netanyahu dares Khamenei, here's timeline of Israel-Iran conflict Barak tells Firstpost, 'There is definitely a certain hope on part of Prime Minister Netanyahu of the United States joining the war. Israel has already degraded Iran's capabilities to a great extent that goes a long way in denying it a nuclear weapon.' Fordow: The mountain nuclear base that stands in way of Israeli victory — and how Israel plans to breach it After striking Natanz, all eyes are on the Fordow nuclear site, which is housed in an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) base and built inside a mountain. It is situated near the holy city of Qom. While some sources say it goes as deep as half a mile underground, Barak, a specialist in underground warfare, says the facility reaches the depth of 60-100 metres — beyond the scope of Israel's munitions. Barak says that Fordow is not built simply under 60-100 metres of soil, but it is built under 60 to 100 metres of concrete. The Natanz site is understood to be similarly built with 20-3o metres of concrete above it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'For more than a decade, Iran has progressively and consistently placed its nuclear programme deep underground. While Fordow and Natanz are well known, such facilities are spread across Iran. Israel can attempt to destroy such facilities in two ways. The first is the Nasrallah way and the second is through special, heavy 'bunker buster' munitions that only the United States has,' says Barak. The first option refers to how Israel assassinated former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah last year in Beirut, Lebanon. He was also hiding in a bunker with 18-20 metres of concrete above him. 'Israel struck the top of Nasrallah's bunker with precision-guided bombs. Israel launched bombs on top of each other until they breached through 20 metres of concrete and killed Nasrallah. Such brute strength is enough to reach the underground levels of Natanz but not Fordow,' says Barak. In Nasrallah's case, Israel dropped around 80 tons of explosives in serial strikes on top of each other within just 10 seconds — like hammering an 80-ton explosive nail through concrete until it reached Nasrallah. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the second option, US 'bunker buster' munitions, the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) and GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs, would be used. They can penetrate up to 60 metres of concrete. To breach the reinforced roof of the Fordow facility, multiple strikes of such ordnance — colloquially called 'mother of all bombs'— would be required. 'These bombs have hardened metal tips and are heavy by themselves even without explosives. With their weight and speed that they are launched from, these bombs penetrate their target whether it's soil or concrete. They do not explode immediately on impact," Barak says. 'Instead, they explode after they have penetrated the target. The delayed explosion after penetration means the damage is concentrated inside the target structure and not on top of it. This also increases the radius of the area these bombs damage,' says Barak, the author of the book 'Underground Warfare' (2018). ALSO READ: As Israel goes to war with Iran, here's how Islamic Revolution turned partners into enemies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is not just that these bombs are with the United States, but only a select few in the US military have the expertise to launch them. The GBU-43/B MOAB can only be launched by a modified C-130 aircraft from its ramp and GBU-57A/B MOP can only be launched from a B-2 stealth bomber. While the United States can theoretically loan these assets to Israel, it will likely not be the case as the United States guards such technology zealously even from its closest allies and partners. This means that if such bunker busters are used, they would most likely be dropped by the US Air Force itself. Barak says that Prime Minister Netanyahu is hopeful the United States will join and there are multiple ways that may happen. 'President Trump might decide to join proactively or he could join in response to an Iranian attack on US bases in the region or could launch a pre-emptive strike in response to an imminent attack. After all, the Israeli operation is also a pre-emptive strike on Iran's nuclear programme as Israel believes that this would be the final window to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon,' says Barak. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indeed, there are indications that may happen — or at least preparations are being made. Trump lays groundwork for attack on Iran After maintaining for the first three days of the war that he would prefer a deal with Iran to end the conflict, Trump started laying groundwork for direct military involvement over the weekend. After moving more than 30 aerial refuelling tankers to Europe to support operations in West Asia over the weekend, Trump bolstered existing squadrons in the region with additional fighter planes on Tuesday. US Navy's Nimitz carrier strike group is also being rushed to the region to join Carl Vinston carrier strike group — two carrier strike groups generally comprise at least 120 warplanes, four cruisers, four destroyers, and possibly submarines as well. ALSO READ: Israel's multi-front war with Iran could alter power dynamics in West Asia for a long time In what appeared to be an attempt to set pretext for an attack, the Trump administration posted dozens of videos of Trump in a thread on X that mentioned all the occasions over the years when Trump said he would not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. Barak says that the US positioning might not just be about attacking Iran, but it could also be about pressuring Iran into reaching a deal — Trump after all prides himself as a master dealmaker. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What's the road ahead? 4 possibilities As Israel has battered Iran and cornered Khamenei, Barak tells Firstpost there are four possibilities how the conflict might conclude. Firstly, Trump might join the war and bomb Iran's nuclear sites. Secondly, Trump refuses to join the war but supports Israel's war — minus the supply of bunker busters to destroy the Fordow site. 'In such a case, it might appear that Israel would have lost, but that would not be the case. Even without destroying Fordow, Israel has degraded Iran's capabilities and set the Iranian nuclear programme back by many years. That is a good enough outcome for Israel short of complete destruction of nuclear capabilities,' says Barak. Thirdly, the Israeli campaign serves as a pressure on Khamenei to enter negotiations seriously and reach a deal. Fourthly, even as Israel batters Iran, the people of the country rise up against Khamenei's regime — Netanyahu has said that one of the outcomes of the war could be a change of regime in Iran. However, not everyone agrees with Barak. There is a line of thought that anything short of complete destruction of Iranian nuclear capabilities would lead to Khamenei going full-throttle for the development of a nuclear weapon to make up for lost conventional deterrence. Barak says that he would not be in a position to do so. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'A week ago, Khamenei could perhaps have developed a weapon in a short duration if he wanted to. Now, we are not living in the same world as a week ago. The various capabilities involved in making a nuclear weapon have been degraded enough so that even if the Fordow site is left standing, Iran would not be in a position to make a nuclear weapon for years,' says Barak. Even though Israel could not cause much damage to the underground levels of the Natanz facility, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi has told BBC News that all centrifuges at the underground uranium enrichment facility at the Natanz nuclear site were 'severely damaged if not destroyed altogether'. While the centrifuges were not directly hit, they were still affected as Israel's aboveground strikes 'completely destroyed' electricity systems that were required to sustain those centrifuges, according to Grossi. Could Natanz's centrifuges be a metaphor for what might be in the offing for Khamenei? While Israel may not go after Khamenei, a chain reaction may still paralyse his regime in the days to come.
Leaders
3 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Israel Claims Killing Iran's New Top Military Commander
Israel announced on Tuesday it killed the Iranian Top Military Commander, Ali Shadmani, in an overnight strike, just four days after taking charge, according to Al-Arabiya. Killing Iran's Top Wartime Commander 'A sudden opportunity overnight, the (Israeli air force) struck a staffed command center in the heart of Tehran and eliminated Ali Shadmani, the war-time Chief of Staff, the most senior military commander, and the closest figure to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei,' the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. Possibility of Eliminating Supreme Leader On Monday, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to exclude the possibility of eliminating Iranian Supreme Leader stating that this move would not escalate the war; it would end the war. 'It's not going to escalate the conflict; it's going to end the conflict,' Netanyahu said in an interview with ABC News. A New Deal or New Regime Meanwhile, Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak stated that military action by Israel alone would not be enough to stop Iran's nuclear progress, according to Arab News. Barak mentioned that there are only two ways to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions whether to reach a diplomatic breakthrough or change the Iranian regime. 'My judgment is that because Iran is already what's called a threshold nuclear power, the only way to block it is either to impose upon it a convincing new agreement or alternatively a full-scale war to topple down the regime,' Barak added. Israeli-Iranian Tensions On June 13, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran under the name of Operation Rising Lion. The military campaign targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and killed top military commanders and nuclear scientists. As a response, Iran launched a retaliatory wave of missiles against Israel and targeted Tel Aviv. Israel also killed three more Iranian nuclear scientists, bringing the total number of scientists slain to nine, Gulf News reported. Currently, both countries are trading missiles and attacks amid intensifying efforts to halt the conflict. Related Topics: Iran Can Never Have a Nuclear Weapon: G7 Leaders Iran Mulls Bill to Leave Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty New Deal or Full-Scale War Can Halt Iran's Nuclear Progress: Former Israeli PM Short link : Post Views: 17
Leaders
4 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Iran Mulls Bill to Leave Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei announced on Monday that the parliament is preparing a bill to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), according to Reuters. Baghaei also stressed that Iran remains opposed to the development of mass destruction's weapons. The announcement comes in a crucial time as the Israeli-Iranian conflict enters its fourth day with a significant increase in death toll and causalities from both sides. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak stated that military action by Israel alone will not be enough to stop Iran's nuclear progress, according to Arab News. Barak mentioned that there are only two ways to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions whether to reach a diplomatic breakthrough or change the Iranian regime. 'My judgment is that because Iran is already what's called a threshold nuclear power, the only way to block it is either to impose upon it a convincing new agreement or alternatively a full-scale war to topple down the regime,' Barak added. On June 13, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran under the name of Operation Rising Lion. The military campaign targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and killed top military commanders and nuclear scientists. As a response, Iran launched a retaliatory wave of missiles against Israel and targeted Tel Aviv. Israel also killed three more Iranian nuclear scientists, bringing the total number of scientists slain to nine, Gulf News reported. Currently, both countries are trading missiles and attacks amid intensifying efforts to halt the conflict. Related Topics: Iran-Israel Conflict Enters Fourth Day, Death Toll Rises Trump Hints at US Involvement in Iran-Israel Conflict Iran Denies Sending Messages to Israel through Cyprus Short link : Post Views: 1
Leaders
4 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
New Deal or Full-Scale War Can Halt Iran's Nuclear Progress: Former Israeli PM
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has described Iran as a 'threshold nuclear power,' and noted that military action by Israel alone will not be enough to stop Iran's nuclear progress, according to Arab News. Several Possibilities During a video interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Barak stated that Israeli government's ability to put an end to Iran's nuclear program was limited. 'In my judgment, it's not a secret that Israel alone cannot delay the nuclear program of Iran by a significant time period. Probably several weeks, probably a month, but even the US cannot delay them by more than a few months,' he said. However, he noted that such possibility does not mean that Iran will have nuclear weapons as they probably still have to complete certain weaponization. Moreover, they 'probably have to create a crude nuclear device to explode it somewhere in the desert to show the whole world where they are.' Barak also called Israeli strikes on Iran 'problematic,' but Israel has justifications for its actions. 'Instead of sitting idle, Israel feels that they have to do something. Probably together with the Americans we can do more.' New Deal or Full-Scale War 'Israel alone cannot delay the nuclear program of Iran by a significant time period. Probably several weeks… a month,' says Israel's former PM Ehud Barak. 'Even the US cannot delay them by more than a few months.' So what's the strategy here? I asked him. See his response. — Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) June 13, 2025 Importantly, he mentioned that there are only two ways to stop Iran's progress whether to reach a diplomatic breakthrough or change the Iranian regime. 'My judgment is that because Iran is already what's called a threshold nuclear power, the only way to block it is either to impose upon it a convincing new agreement or alternatively a full-scale war to topple down the regime,' Barak added. Moreover, he said that Israel could do this with the support of the US, but the US seemed to have no willing for this move. 'I don't believe that any American president, neither Trump nor any one of his predecessors, would have decided to do that,' he added. Israeli-Iranian Conflict On June 13, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran under the name of Operation Rising Lion. The military campaign targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and killed top military commanders and nuclear scientists. As a response, Iran launched a retaliatory wave of missiles against Israel and targeted Tel Aviv. Israel also killed three more Iranian nuclear scientists, raising the total number of scientists slain to nine, according to Gulf News. Currently, both countries are trading missiles and attacks amid intensifying efforts to halt the conflict. Related Topics: Trump Hints at US Involvement in Iran-Israel Conflict Putin, Trump Discuss Iran-Israel Conflict Iran-Israel Escalation: Houthis Join Fighting, UK Moves Assets to Middle East Short link : Post Views: 5
