JERUSALEM: Israel said on Tuesday it does not seek war with Iran, a day after presenting purported evidence of past Iranian nuclear-arms research, but suggested President Donald Trump backed its latest attempt to kill a deal aimed at curbing Iran’s atomic ambitions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNN that “nobody” sought a conflict with Tehran, a prospect seen by some as a possible result of the deal’s collapse.
Asked if Israel is prepared to go to war with Tehran, Netanyahu said: “Nobody’s seeking that kind of development. Iran is the one that’s changing the rules in the region.”
Tehran, which denies ever pursuing nuclear weapons, dismissed Netanyahu as “the boy who cried wolf,” and called his presentation propaganda.
“We warn the Zionist regime and its allies to stop their plots and dangerous behaviors or they will face Iran’s surprising and firm response,” Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by Tasnim on Tuesday.
Hatami called Netanyahu’s accusations “baseless.”
