Israel's new defense budget, which is expected to be approved by the Knesset this month as part of the national budget vote, will enable Israel to develop new tools, operational plans and technologies to take on "all threats we face," Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on Tuesday.
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Speaking during a cornerstone-laying ceremony for Elbit System's new technological campus at Ramat Beka in the Negev Desert, he noted that the construction was "an expression of our worldview regarding the [IDF's] technological upgrade and the defense industries. The developments being produced by Israeli industries assist the IDF in becoming more accurate, powerful and lethal."
He added that "this power is especially necessary during these days when our enemies, under Iranian leadership, are trying to grow stronger and to undermine regional stability."
"Alongside a partnership with all of our friends – foremost among them the United States – we will invest, among others avenues, through the defense budget that will pass in the Knesset in the coming days," said Gantz.
The defense minister noted that similar to his time as IDF chief of staff when Israel's military prepared to deal with the Iranian nuclear threat, "we are committed to safeguarding a strong, stable, fortified Israel and ensure that Iran does not develop an existential threat to Israel. We will continue to act with responsibility and to safeguard our independence of action in any place and sector, and secure Israeli citizens."
Also Tuesday, Gantz said on Twitter that he spoke with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin about Iran's nuclear program.
Gantz announced an upcoming meeting between the two men in order "to deepen their discussion on strategic questions and military cooperation."
I had an important discussion with my friend and partner @secdef Austin about US-Israel coordination vis-a-vis Iranian regional entrenchment & its nuclear aspirations. We agreed to meet soon to deepen our discussion on strategic issues & military cooperation.
— בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) November 2, 2021
While Iran recently announced its willingness to resume talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear accord, tension remains with Israel and the United States.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that while diplomacy is the preferred route for the US, every option is on the table to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons capabilities. When asked if that included military invention, the top US diplomat did not rule it out.
Iran's top negotiator said in Brussels last week that negotiations in Vienna would resume at the end of November and on Friday a European Union spokesperson said that the parties are trying to agree on a date for the resumption of talks.
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Blinken said that Iran "is moving forward aggressively with its program," warning that the time is "getting shorter" before the Iranians are able to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon.
"The other thing that's getting shorter is the runway we have, where, if we do get back into compliance with the agreement, and Iran gets back into compliance, we actually recapture all of the benefits of the agreement," Blinken said, adding that "we'll see if Iran is serious" about moving forward with a diplomatic solution.
