() Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant urges President Trump to help deliver the coup de grâce to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure but says he understands if the American leader needs more time to decide.
The White House on Thursday said Trump would decide within the next two weeks whether to strike Iran presumably, to have U.S. forces take out the Fordow nuclear fortress that is beyond Israel’s military capabilities or opt for diplomacy.
“Israel made, I would say, huge progress towards eliminating the Iranian (nuclear) program, but the final blow should be an American one,” Gallant told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.”
Israel began launching targeted military strikes against Iran on June 12 in an attempt, the country said, to disable its enemy’s rapidly approaching acquisition of nuclear weapons. Israel said it had made major progress toward that end, but destroying Fordow remains an elusive goal.
Iran continues to send missiles to broader targets in Israel, which has not been able to shoot down all of the projectiles. Some speculate Israel may be running low on interceptor rockets, begging the question whether it can hold out as Trump makes his decision on Iran.
“Whether it’s a week or two weeks, it doesn’t make the difference,” Gallant said. “I believe the president will do the right thing.”
He said Iran is the one that is feeling pressure after a week of targeted strikes, while “the Israeli people are very strong and resilient.”
Iran has warned the U.S. against military involvement in the conflict, and some within Trump’s Republican base oppose American intervention in the Middle East.
