Here is the rewritten content:
As Israel considers its response to Iran’s massive ballistic missile attack nearly two weeks ago, former White House national security advisor John Bolton says it should take what could be the “only opportunity” to wipe out the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program.
The Biden administration and other world leaders have urged Israel not to take any retaliatory actions that could escalate the conflict with Iran into an all-out war, including striking Iran’s nuclear facilities. However, several conservative figures, including Canada’s Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre, have said that such strikes would be an appropriate response and could further weaken the Iranian regime.
In an interview with Mercedes Stephenson that aired Sunday on The West Block, Bolton, a longtime hawk on Iran who served in the Trump administration, said Israel should do all it can to ensure Iran’s next attack doesn’t involve a nuclear warhead.
“If you’re Israel, and you’ve seen in both the April attack from Iran and the Oct. 1 attack hundreds of ballistic missiles launched at you, you could have no confidence that the next time you see a ballistic missile coming from Iran, that under its nose cone it might not have a nuclear weapon,” he said. “So how long are you willing to take that chance?”
Bolton echoed other analysts of the region, saying Iran is “scared to death” of the Israeli government after its military’s actions against Hamas and Hezbollah and knows Israel would have the backing of the US in a direct war with Tehran.
That, along with the regime’s domestic struggles, puts Iran in a vulnerable position that Bolton says Israel should take advantage of.
“I think that’s the point where Israel can have the maximum impact, precisely by going after the nuclear weapons program,” he said. “There’s no guarantee they’ll have another opportunity as good.”
Poilievre last week told reporters in Ottawa that an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities “would be a gift by the Jewish state to humanity.”
Defence Minister Bill Blair told the House of Commons defence committee Thursday that it was “reckless and irresponsible to call for attacks on nuclear facilities, which are very specifically prohibited under international humanitarian law.”
Donald Trump, who is running for president again, told a campaign event after Iran’s Oct. 1 attack that Israel should “hit the nuclear first and worry about the rest later.”
Although Iran officially has a fatwa in place against the development and use of nuclear weapons, its intelligence minister has warned that stance could change if it was “cornered,” and there are fears within the international community that Iran could still use its nuclear program to produce such a weapon relatively quickly.
Conclusion:
The situation between Israel and Iran is complex and delicate, with both sides accusing the other of aggression. While the international community urges caution, some actors believe that a strong response from Israel could be necessary to protect its security and national interests. As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial to closely follow developments and consider the potential consequences of various actions.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is the current situation between Israel and Iran?
A: Israel and Iran are engaged in a heightened state of tension, with Israel having launched airstrikes against Iranian targets and Iran responding with ballistic missile launches.
Q: What is John Bolton’s stance on the situation?
A: Bolton, a former White House national security advisor, believes that Israel should take advantage of the current situation to wipe out the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program.
Q: Has the international community responded to the situation?
A: The international community has urged caution and called for restraint, with some actors encouraging dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict peacefully.
Q: What does the future hold for the situation?
A: As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial to closely follow developments and consider the potential consequences of various actions.
About The Author
