Gantz’s visit comes as the talks between the United States, Iran and Western powers over Tehran’s nuclear program are at a stalemate.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in the White Home on Wednesday to discuss the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear plan and the betterment composed on it by the Islamic Republic.
The assembly came less than a day following Sullivan met with Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman. On Wednesday, Bin Salman met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who Gantz is scheduled to meet on Thursday. The timing of both meetings lent to speculation that Israel was coordinating then moves on Iran with the US and Saudi Arabia.
Gantz’s assembly with Sullivan was attended by Israel’s Ambassador to the US Mike Herzog; Brig.
Gen. (Res.) Dror Shalom, head of the Defense Ministry’s political security division; the minister’s Gantz’s Chief of Staff Maayan Israeli; and his military secretary, Brig.-Gen. Yaki Dolf.
According to a readout rolled out by his office, throughout the assembly with Sullivan, Gantz “discussed Iran’s progression in its nuclear program alongside its destabilizing territorial activities and emphasized the require to job closely and prepare for any coming days scenario.”
According to the statement, Gantz “thanked Sullivan for the US Administration and Chairman Biden’s commitment to the security cooperation between the respective defense establishments” which is “conducted within the framework of Israel’s perfect defense cooperation with the US and growing ties with territorial partners.”
Gantz is in Washington whereas the newly created head of CENTCOM, Gen. Erik Kurilla visited Israel for the 1st time and participated in the IDF’s month-long Chariots of Zeal drill, which will additionally simulate striking Iran.
The IDF does not assume that the two sides will arrive an agreement, is seriously planning various military features should the talks fail, and believes that moreover sanctions, the Americans require to area a valid military feature on the board as well.
During the visit with Austin, which will take place at the Pentagon, Gantz is expected to discuss Israel’s Plan B should the talks fail as well as additional sanctions that could be placed on the Islamic Republic.
On Tuesday, the defense minister said that Iran is currently trying to complete the production and installation of 1,000 advanced IR6 centrifuges, including at a new underground facility being built near Natanz.
“Iran continues to accumulate irreversible knowledge and experience in the development, research, production and operation of advanced centrifuges,” he said. Tehran is just a few weeks away from accumulating enough fissile material sufficient for one nuclear bomb, Gantz said.
The defense minister also spoke to Sullivan about the recent wave of terror that has claimed 20 lives in Israel, and discussed the ongoing operational activity carried out to thwart terror and stop incitement.
“Minister Gantz emphasized that Israel will take the measures necessary to defend its citizens and sovereignty,” the statement said, adding that “Israel’s defense establishment is continuing its policy of promoting confidence-building measures vis-a-vis Palestinian civilians that are not involved with terror activity.”