Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday warned Iran against attacking Israel on the day of its elections, telling Tehran, “Don’t test us.”
Netanyahu released a video in Hebrew on Sunday ahead of the Jewish state’s elections on Tuesday. The prime minister is seeking to extend his tenure as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.
In the video, Netanyahu claimed to have received intelligence that Tehran is planning to attack Israel to disrupt the electoral process this week.
“We have intelligence indications that our enemies, Iran and its proxies, may try to challenge us with attacks in order to disrupt the elections,” Netanyahu said, according to a translation of his remarks. “And I warn them: Do not test us. You will suffer blows of disproportionate force, far stronger than you can imagine. It will be a crushing blow for you. Do not underestimate us. Do not test us.”
Netanyahu faces a difficult reelection campaign, with polling suggesting his governing coalition could fall short of securing another majority. Unlike American elections, Israel does not directly elect heads of government. Voters instead select political parties to fill the 120 seats in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, through proportional representation.
The prime minister’s warning to Iran comes as Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton sent Secretary of State Marco Rubio a memo that said Iranian plans to target and kill U.S. citizens abroad have reached “advanced stages.”
Clayton said that “lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages” in the Middle East and other countries. Iran has “substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel” abroad, he said, adding that the risk is “relevant to more individuals than are currently cleared to receive this information.”
President Donald Trump on Sunday said there would not be a strike against Iran “today,” but has in recent history hinted at reigniting military operations against Iran.
Trump said he has “two very different sets of” intelligence reports to the one declassified by Clayton, noting that the United States is “doing very well with Iran.”
“We have very advanced sets of intelligence on Iran, and we’re doing very well with Iran as you know,” Trump told reporters before heading to Michigan.
INTELLIGENCE CHIEF JAY CLAYTON WARNS RUBIO OF RISING IRANIAN THREATS
The president also told Fox News the next steps with Iran are still being considered, saying, “Do I make a deal with Iran, or do I finish them off? That’s the only question.”
Trump endorsed Netanyahu for reelection last week, arguing that the prime minister’s leadership has been essential in confronting Tehran. He credited Netanyahu with helping weaken Iran militarily and financially while threatening further action if Tehran refuses to change course.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
