Iran has wanted to erase us since 1979 – Israeli Ambassador to Ghana

Israel’s ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad, has said Iran’s threats since the 1979 Islamic revolution justify Israel’s latest military strikes.

He described Tehran’s posture as a long-standing existential threat that has now matured into a dangerous and urgent reality.

Speaking on PM Express on Monday, June 16, the ambassador said Israel’s recent missile attacks on Iran were necessary and overdue.

“The answer is quite simple,” he said when asked why Israel had launched missiles into Iran.

“Whenever your enemy declares clearly his will and wish to get rid of you, to annihilate you, to destroy you, to erase you from the face of the earth—as the Iranian leaders are doing since February 1979—that’s when we become worried.”

He warned that the threat from Iran is both ideological and technological.https://www.youtube.com/embed/WgEOIu_zaUE?si=iM81KZkrMDq1dYp-

“We have many enemies that would like to erase us from the face of the earth, but do not have the ability. We have states that have the ability but do not want to erase us from the face of the earth. But when we have an enemy that has both—this is when we become worried,” he stressed.

The ambassador confirmed that the latest strikes on Iranian territory were carefully targeted at military and government sites.

Several high-ranking Iranian officers were reportedly killed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive “as long as necessary.”

Roey Gilad echoed that sentiment and pointed to growing internal support.

“Israelis are very opinionated people. It’s very hard to find consensus. But now there is a consensus that this was the right thing to do. The only discussion is whether we should have done it earlier.”

He said the real trigger was Iran’s rapid military buildup.

“They have enriched uranium up to 60%, which is enough for nine nuclear bombs. And they are developing, as you can see now, between 2,000 and 3,000 ballistic missiles.

“They’ve already launched 200 against Israel. That caused significant damage. That has to be said.”

Asked if this was strictly about the nuclear threat, the ambassador said it was a combination.

“It’s two things. It’s the nuclear threat. And it’s the missile threat. The ability and the will together—that’s the danger.”

Ambassador Gilad was blunt about the stakes.

“We are not playing games. We are fighting for survival. If you know your enemy wants to destroy you and is getting closer to doing so, you do not wait for the final blow.”

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