Israel warns ‘implementation day’ is ‘difficult’ for many states situated near Iran

Special to WorldTribune.com

While Iran and the Obama administration are caught up in the euphoria of nuclear deal “implementation day,” Teheran’s neighbors fear the Middle East is entering “a new and dangerous era.”

“Iran is continuing to strive for nuclear weapons and the optimism of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) report must not blind the international community,” Israeli UN ambassador Danny Danon warned on Jan. 16.

Israeli UN ambassador Danny Danon
Israeli UN ambassador Danny Danon

The IAEA said that Iran has fulfilled its initial obligations under the terms of the nuclear deal, initiating the first stage of sanctions relief.

“The removal of the sanctions facilitates the terrorism that Teheran sponsors around the world, and Israel will continue to monitor closely all the activities of Iran, in terms of the nuclear threat and the terror threat,” Danon said.

Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said implementation of the deal poses a danger to the Middle East and ultimately will not curb Teheran’s nuclear program.

“The ‘implementation day’ of the nuclear agreement ushers us into a new and dangerous era, in which Iran is freed from most of its economic sanctions, without having to quit its nuclear program or provide explanations for its military activities,” Erdan said.

Teheran continues to “supply arms to terror groups like Hizbullah and Hamas” while interfering in the internal affairs of Gulf states and violating a UN Security Council prohibition on “developing ballistic missiles,” Erdan said. “This is a difficult day for all the states in the region that hoped Iran wouldn’t be able to obtain nuclear arms and would cease to meddle in the region.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “even after signing the nuclear deal, Iran has not relinquished its ambition to obtain nuclear weapons, and continues to act to destabilize the Middle East and spread terror throughout the world while violating its international commitments.”

Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in a speech to parliament broadcast live on state television, said, “in (implementing) the deal, all are happy except Zionists, warmongers, sowers of discord among Islamic nations and extremists in the U.S. The rest are happy.”

Rouhani said the deal was a “glorious victory” for Iran that “opened new windows for engagement with the world.”

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