Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he does not support launching a preemptive strike against Iran before the Israeli elections scheduled for October 27. However, he simultaneously warned Tehran—and what he termed allied armed groups—against launching any attack on his country.
In an interview with Army Radio, responding to a question about the possibility of a preemptive strike and his political opponents’ claims that he is seeking a military confrontation before the elections, Netanyahu said, “That is not suitable for us, nor is it good.”
Netanyahu added, “Even if Iran were to fire missiles at us, I would be the one blamed.” Nevertheless, he reiterated his previous warnings to Iran, asserting that his country would respond forcefully if subjected to an attack.
While he did not elaborate on the possibility of a preemptive strike after the elections or on his recent talks with Washington regarding Iran, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated threats regarding any potential attack on the country, vowing—while visiting the occupied zone in southern Lebanon—to respond forcefully to any assault.