Saturday, 30 January, 2021 - 08:00
(L-R) Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Head of the United States military’s Central Command Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, and Israeli Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi in Tel Aviv on January 29, 2021. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry) Tel Aviv - Nazir Magally
Head of the United States military’s Central Command Gen. Kenneth McKenzie led Friday in Israel a seminar that witnessed deliberation on the defense priorities and challenges shared by the two militaries, including regional threats, chiefly Iran.
Earlier, McKenzie held meetings with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Israeli Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, and the head of Mossad, Yossi Cohen.
Israel DM slams army chief s public threats to Iran
Defence Minister Benny Gantz in Jerusalem on December 2, 2020 [ALEX KOLOMIENSKY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images] January 29, 2021 at 10:23 am
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz on Wednesday slammed Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi, for publicly criticising the United States and threatening to attack Iran. A nuclear Iran is a danger to the world, to the region, and is a challenge to the security of Israel. Of course, Israel must be prepared to defend itself in any way, but red lines are drawn in closed rooms, Gantz told reporters.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kochavi said a return to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, or a slightly improved one, would be an operational and strategic mistake for the world.
“We must not return to this deal and I hope it will not happen,” he said.
The Biden administration has made it clear that it wishes to return to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, but says it seeks stronger terms than those in the original agreement. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that the US will consult with Israel and its allies on the negotiations.
On Wednesday, Blinken said that “if Iran comes back into full compliance” the US would as well. But he added that the administration seeks a “longer and stronger agreement” that addresses “deeply problematic” issues a likely reference to Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional terrorism.