Warning the Islamic Republic against its continued military presence in Syria, the Israeli Defense Minister, Naftali Bennett said on Sunday December 8, that Syria would be "Iran's Vietnam."
Bennett's warning echoed the Israeli Foreign Minister's earlier comment on the same subject.
"An Israeli attack on Iran is an existing possibility that is under discussion," Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz had asserted in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera, on Saturday.
"We will not allow Iranians to acquire nuclear weapons, and if we are forced into a situation of no other choice - we will also respond with military force," Katz said.
When explicitly asked if an airstrike is something that Israel was considering, Katz reiterated, "Yes, it's an option. We will not allow Iran to produce or obtain nuclear weapons. If it were the last possible thing to prevent it, we would act militarily."
Joining voices with his colleague to caution Tehran, Bennett also insisted on Sunday, "It is no secret that Iran is trying to establish a ring of fire around our country, it is already based in Lebanon and is trying to establish itself in Syria, Gaza and more," reiterating, "We say to Iran: Syria will become your Vietnam."
Meanwhile, Bennett vowed that Israel would "work tirelessly" to prevent Iran from establishing its permanent military presence in war-torn Syria.
A day earlier, the positions of the pro-Islamic Republic militia in Iraq-Syria common borders were attacked, and at least five were killed. As in similar attacks in the past, many believe that Israel had been behind the assault.
In the meantime, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also lambasted Tehran for its interference in Iraq's internal affairs.
Referring to a deadly attack on protesters Friday night in Baghdad, Netanyahu maintained on Sunday, "There is a growing number of signs that point to the murderous attack in Baghdad as having been carried out by the Iraqi Shi'ite militias, directly under the guidance of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)."
Furthermore, Netanyahu, who was speaking to his cabinet on Sunday afternoon, urged the European countries to exert more pressure on Tehran. "At this time, facing this murder, we must increase pressure on Iran," Netanyahu said, adding, "This is what I call on European countries to do. I wish to clarify, with or without the European countries, Israel will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
According to Iraqi officials, in one of the deadliest clashes since October 1, when anti-government protests broke out, "unknown gunmen" killed 25. They also injured 130 on Friday night in Baghdad.
