Israeli Military Readying for 'Plan B' if Iran Nuclear Talks Fail
November 29, 2021
Israel’s military is continuing to develop its ability to conduct a military strike against Iran’s nuclear program should circumstances demand it.
After a five-month hiatus, indirect talks between the United States and Iran are set to resume on Monday, with the other parties to the nuclear deal mediating in hope of reestablishing an agreement to curb the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions.
The defense establishment does not see a war breaking out with Iran or its proxies, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, but the IDF has been keeping an eye on the North and on the South.
It held large-scale exercises in the North in October and November, and there are plans to hold 50% more drills next year than in 2020, and 30% more than in 2021.
The increased exercises set for 2022 follows years of stagnation, and will be the largest training operation in five years, especially for reserve forces.
Following the signing of the Abraham Accords, the IDF has also begun conducting drills with Gulf Arab states.
In a subtle message to Iran, Israel took part in a multilateral maritime security drill in the Red Sea with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and US Naval Forces Central Command’s (NAVCENT).
The drill in early November was the first of its kind, and showed what kind of naval coalition Israel might join should there be military action against Iran.
“It is exciting to see US forces training with regional partners to enhance our collective maritime security capabilities,” V-Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of NAVCENT, US 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces said at the time. “Maritime collaboration helps safeguard freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade, which are essential to regional security and stability.”
Story by Anna Ahronheim for the Jerusalem Post.
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