Europe Should Join the U.S. in Stopping Iran’s Nuclear Program

This week, the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is holding one of its five yearly meetings, where, no doubt, it will address a recent report by the agency’s experts detailing Tehran’s refusal to cooperate with inspections. Jacob Nagel and Andrea Sticker comment:

A key conclusion from the IAEA’s report, issued on June 5, . . . is that since the end of January 2020 Tehran has refused the IAEA access to two nuclear sites of concern and declined to answer questions about a third. . . . Certain states, such as Russia, are supporting Iran’s evasions, arguing that the IAEA’s investigation relates merely to [past violations]. Yet the new information obtained by the IAEA warrants questions . . . as to whether activities with military nuclear applications continue today and all nuclear materials in Iran [are being put solely to] peaceful uses.

Perhaps most suspiciously, Iran continues to destroy sites of concern and move or hide equipment and materials. There is no statute of limitations in Iran’s safeguards agreements on investigating allegations or suspicions of undeclared nuclear material.

The E3, or the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, which have so far been quiet on the matter, should stand firmly behind the IAEA [in condemning Iran’s noncompliance]. The E3 remain harshly critical of the United States for withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal . . . and blame Washington for Iran’s subsequent breaches of the accord. Yet Iran’s violations [of the Nonproliferation Treaty and its subsequent safeguards] represent breaches of entirely separate agreements that long predate the [the deal], so the E3 cannot point a finger at Washington.

It is past time for the world to unite around the threat of Iran’s nuclear program. This should start with the IAEA’s board of governors recognizing that Tehran’s nuclear program is not peaceful. The world should demand full answers.

Read more at FDD

More about: Europe, Iran nuclear program, U.S. Foreign policy

Hizballah Is Learning Israel’s Weak Spots

On Tuesday, a Hizballah drone attack injured three people in northern Israel. The next day, another attack, targeting an IDF base, injured eighteen people, six of them seriously, in Arab al-Amshe, also in the north. This second attack involved the simultaneous use of drones carrying explosives and guided antitank missiles. In both cases, the defensive systems that performed so successfully last weekend failed to stop the drones and missiles. Ron Ben-Yishai has a straightforward explanation as to why: the Lebanon-backed terrorist group is getting better at evading Israel defenses. He explains the three basis systems used to pilot these unmanned aircraft, and their practical effects:

These systems allow drones to act similarly to fighter jets, using “dead zones”—areas not visible to radar or other optical detection—to approach targets. They fly low initially, then ascend just before crashing and detonating on the target. The terrain of southern Lebanon is particularly conducive to such attacks.

But this requires skills that the terror group has honed over months of fighting against Israel. The latest attacks involved a large drone capable of carrying over 50 kg (110 lbs.) of explosives. The terrorists have likely analyzed Israel’s alert and interception systems, recognizing that shooting down their drones requires early detection to allow sufficient time for launching interceptors.

The IDF tries to detect any incoming drones on its radar, as it had done prior to the war. Despite Hizballah’s learning curve, the IDF’s technological edge offers an advantage. However, the military must recognize that any measure it takes is quickly observed and analyzed, and even the most effective defenses can be incomplete. The terrain near the Lebanon-Israel border continues to pose a challenge, necessitating technological solutions and significant financial investment.

Read more at Ynet

More about: Hizballah, Iron Dome, Israeli Security