Israel prefers diplomacy on Iran but could act alone

• Israel reiterates a long-standing veiled threat to launch a preemptive war.
• Follows calls by Western powers to rebuke Tehran for failing to answer questions on uranium traces at undeclared sites.
• Israeli PM Naftali Bennett: Israel could take independent action against Iran.

On Friday, Israel told the U.N. nuclear watchdog it would prefer a diplomatic resolution to the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program. Still, it could take independent action, reiterating a long-standing veiled threat to launch a preemptive war.

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The warning to visiting International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi followed calls by Western powers on the IAEA Board of Governors to rebuke Tehran for failing to answer questions on uranium traces at undeclared sites.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told the UN nuclear watchdog on Friday that Israel would prefer a diplomatic resolution to the standoff over the Iranian nuclear program but could take independent action, an Israeli statement said.

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“Israel reserves the right to self-defense and action against Iran to stop its nuclear program if the international community fails to do so within the relevant time frame,” it quoted Bennett as telling International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director Rafael Gross, who arrived on Thursday for talks.

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