Iran's air defence drills heighten Middle East tensions
Iranian armed forces have commenced air defence maneuvers near the Natanz nuclear facility. The army and units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are participating in these exercises.
The Tasnim news agency, which is linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, provided information about the air defence exercises, which started on Tuesday around the Natanz nuclear facility in Isfahan province.
In Iran, concerns about a potential armed conflict are growing. Conservative politicians in Tehran are advocating for nuclear weapon tests as a deterrent measure.
The dpa agency notes that Israel has repeatedly threatened attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, citing the International Atomic Energy Agency's assertion that Tehran has accelerated uranium enrichment to 60 percent, to acquire nuclear weapons.
According to Western experts, there is no civilian justification for Iran's actions. Historically, only countries producing nuclear weapons have enriched uranium to this level. However, Tehran insists that its nuclear program is purely peaceful.
Increasing tensions in the Middle East
The Iranian authorities are concerned that if Donald Trump returns to the White House, Israel may conduct an airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Experts are debating whether such actions could effectively prevent Iran from developing an atomic bomb. Meanwhile, the Israeli armed forces remain on high alert, fearing another attack from Iran.
Beni Sabti from the Israeli National Security Institute pointed out that Iran has declared plans for a third attack on Israel. He remarked that Iranian authorities appear frustrated by the delay in carrying out this attack. Sabti also noted concerns that they could use the ongoing exercises as a cover for an offensive, drawing a parallel to the strategy employed by Egypt and Syria in 1973.
Sabti suggests that Iran could take advantage of the final days of Joe Biden's presidency, believing that Biden might be hesitant about a decisive response. Despite the tense situation, Sabti doubts that Iran will decide to attack, emphasizing that Israel has improved its defence capabilities. "I just can't imagine them taking such a risk," Sabti stated.
