Time is running out to act before Iran gets nuclear weapons, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this morning during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.
“The danger of not acting is greater than acting,” Netanyahu said.
Netanayahu kept his focus on Iran despite host David Gregory’s effort to draw him into the presidential election.
The Israeli prime minister warns that the Islamic state is within six months of having enough nuclear material to build a nuclear bomb, which means a strike against Iran could loom. Many in the United States and Israel suggest containing Iran the way the Soviet Union was during the Cold War.
But Netanyahu sees suggestions that Iran should be contained as “a new standard for human stupidity” because the Iranians are driven by a sort of fanaticism never displayed by the Soviets.
“An Iran with nuclear weapons would be an Iran with the kind of fanaticism that you see storming your embassies,” Netanyahu said. “Don’t let these fanatics have nuclear weapons.
“In order to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons, it is important to act before they get nuclear weapons.”
The Obama administration has not gotten in the way of Israel’s desire to keep the Iranians from going nuclear even though it has declined to establish a timetable for taking action, according to Netanyahu.
He also sought to dismiss concerns that Obama has fractured the alliance with Israel, noting that a “very powerful bond” exists between the two countries that is supported by Democrats and Republicans alike.
“We need to communicate to Iran that there is a line that we do not cross,” Netanyahu said. “In this case, I think a red line serves to reduce the chances of the need for military action because once the Iranians understand that there’s a line that they can’t cross they’re not likely to cross it.”
Netanyahu compares the current situation with Iran to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis where President Kennedy imposed a red line on the Soviets, which ultimately averted nuclear Armageddon.
“Iran has been placed with some clear red lines on a few matters, and they’ve avoided crossing them,” Netanyahu said.
Iran needs to have a firm red line placed in front of them as they get closer to having nuclear weapons before it’s too late, and the Israeli prime minister warned that Iran presently is in the “red zone”.
“We can’t let them score a touchdown because that would have unbelievable consequences and grievous consequences for the peace and security of us all,” Netanyahu said. “I think it’s important to send the message to them that they can’t just proceed with impunity.”
