Iran Admits: We Are Capable of Building a Nuclear Bomb; US CENTCOM Commander in Israel to Discuss Air Defenses

In an escalation of tensions between Iran and the West, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khameini recently told Al Jazeera that Tehran is capable of developing a nuclear bomb but has not yet resolved whether to build it. 

Kamal Kharazi, the former Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, told the Qatar-based news outlet that “in a few days, we were able to enrich uranium up to 60% and we can easily produce 90% enriched uranium…Iran has the technical means to produce a nuclear bomb but there has been no decision by Iran to build it.”

Kharazi added that Iran would “never negotiate over its missile program and regional policy” and took aim at Israel, warning that it would directly respond against the Jewish state should its security be targeted.

Kharazi’s comments come amid frustrated negotiations between Tehran and the West on a return to the JCPOA (known as the “Iran deal”) and allegations by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the Islamic Republic is hiding aspects of its nuclear program from international observers.

In response to Iran’s saber-rattling, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi stated on Sunday that “The IDF continues to prepare vigorously for an attack on Iran and must prepare for any development and any scenario. Preparing a military option against the Iranian nuclear program is a moral obligation and a national security order.”

During his recent visit to Israel, US President Joe Biden affirmed America’s commitment to thwarting a nuclear Iran, although he only advocated for a military response as a last resort.

Following US President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel last week, General Michael Erik Kurilla, the head of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) landed in Tel Aviv on Sunday for discussions focusing on Israel’s air defenses. 

The US is currently attempting to spearhead an integrated air defense network between Israel and its Arab allies in the face of Iranian threats to the region. 

Kurilla’s visit comes in the wake of a meeting last month between CENTCOM officers and Israeli military officials, where plans for a multi-front war were both discussed and simulated. 

It was a pleasure to host @CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Kurilla on his 2nd visit to Israel.

Through cooperation with CENTCOM, we are promoting a regional defense system that will provide a broad and accurate operational response to security threats in the area. pic.twitter.com/dHBhdfLX1O

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 17, 2022

Upon landing in the Jewish state, Kurilla met with both IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi and Defense Minister Benny Gantz. 

Gantz commented: “Our discussion today focused on developing regional challenges, including Iran’s destabilizing activities via proxies and in the maritime arena. We also covered opportunities to develop military ties and to facilitate cooperation with regional partners.”

Up until September 2021, Israel had been the responsibility of the US military’s European Command (EUCOM). However, with the adoption of the Abraham Accords and the development of friendly relations with other Middle Eastern countries, Israel formally came under the purview of CENTCOM.

The Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem has warned US President Joe Biden that “extremist Israeli forces” are raising tensions and harming worshipers in the Israeli capital’s Old City, Israeli media reported.

In a letter addressed to Biden, Theophilos III of Jerusalem claimed that Israeli groups supported by “right-wing figures in Israel’s political sphere” are “trying to disrupt the longtime status quo of the city.”

The White House did not respond to the letter or to its allegations.

This is not the first time that the Greek Patriarch has pointed the finger at Israeli organizations, having claimed in a Times of London column in January that “Our presence in Jerusalem is under threat” and that the “Christian community in Jerusalem is suffering greatly.”

In a rebuttal of the claims put forward by Theophilos III and other Church leaders, Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum pointed out that, according to a study by the Israel Democracy Institute, the Christian population of Israel has grown by 1.5% and 84% of Christians are satisfied with their lives in the Jewish state.

During an early-morning operation to arrest a wanted Palestinian in the West Bank city of Tubas, Israeli forces came under fire from Palestinian gunmen and rioters throwing molotov cocktails. 

The IDF returned fire at the assailants, wounding two people. There were no Israeli soldiers injured during the clash. 

A video circulating on social media showed an army jeep being hit by a Molotov cocktail.

تغطية صحفية: "مشاهد لحرق جيب للاحتلال وإعطابه مع جيب آخر خلال اشتباكات ومواجـــهات في طوباس".#فلسطين pic.twitter.com/cL0pc3gGRf

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) July 17, 2022

A local branch of the US-designated terrorist organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the firefight, alleging that it damaged Israeli military vehicles as they entered the city. 

This latest raid is the first one following a brief pause in IDF arrest operations during US President Joe Biden’s visit to the region.

The IDF has been conducting a concerted counter-terrorism effort in the West Bank following a wave of Palestinian terrorism that claimed 19 Israeli lives earlier this year.