Iran ramps up air defense near Natanz amid nuclear tensions
Iranian armed forces have begun air defense maneuvers near the Natanz nuclear facility involving both the army and units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Tasnim news agency, associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that air defense exercises commenced 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.
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, aiming to acquire nuclear weapons.
Western experts argue that there is no civilian justification for Iran's actions, as only countries producing nuclear weapons have enriched uranium to this level so far. However, Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is purely peaceful.
Increasing tensions in the Middle East
The Iranian authorities fear 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 actually prevent Iran from building 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 points out that Iran has announced a third attack on Israel. "It seems that the Iranian authorities are frustrated that the third attack has not yet occurred," Sabti stated. "There is a fear they might want to use the current exercises as a cover for an attack, similar to what Egypt and Syria did in 1973," he added.
Sabti notes that Iran could exploit the final days of Joe Biden's presidency, during which he believes Biden would be "hesitant about a decisive response." Despite the tense situation, Sabti is not convinced that Iran will decide to attack, emphasizing that Israel has improved its defense capabilities. "I can't imagine them taking such a risk," Sabti concluded.
