Netanyahu: Tehran Renewing Its Nuclear Program

Occupied Jerusalem – Agencies: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned in a promotional video aired on Saturday evening that Iran “is renewing its nuclear program” and described the final days before Israel’s elections as a decisive week. Netanyahu said the Iranian regime “wants to destroy us within a short period,” adding, “What is at stake is the existence of Israel and preventing its destruction,” according to Bloomberg news agency, yesterday. Israel is scheduled to hold its general elections tomorrow, Tuesday, October 27, marking the sixth election since 2019 and the first since the October 7, 2023 attacks and the subsequent wars. His remarks come amid U.S. reports that President Donald Trump is leaning toward resuming military action against Iran without making a final decision, and that the Pentagon has presented him with options including strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and infrastructure, as well as seizing islands controlled by Tehran. Netanyahu had planned a major attack for the weekend of October 10, but Trump blocked it; Netanyahu rejected this account, describing it as biased and inaccurate. Meanwhile, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned that a new war close to the election date could force a postponement of the polls, according to the same source, as reported by the Financial Times. A survey by the Hebrew newspaper Ma’ariv showed Netanyahu’s bloc dropping to 48 seats, compared to 54 for the opposition, and that former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot is leading Netanyahu in a head-to-head race for the premiership, with 49% support versus 41%.