Iran has not abandoned its aspiration to destroy the State of Israel, Mossad Director David Barnea said.
He warned that Tehran would “surge forward” the moment circumstances allow and cautioned against attempts to advance another “bad” nuclear agreement.
“The ayatollahs’ regime woke up in a moment to discover that Iran is exposed and thoroughly penetrated, yet Iran has not given up its aspiration to destroy the State of Israel,” Barnea said at a Mossad excellence awards ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Tuesday night. He spoke during a ceremony honoring Mossad employees for their unique contributions and exceptional work for Israel’s security.
“Iran believes it can deceive the world again and realize another bad nuclear agreement,” he said.
Barnea warns that Iran is pushing to destroy Israel
“We did not, and will not, allow a bad agreement to materialize. A state that has emblazoned Israel’s destruction on its flag, deceived the world while developing nuclear weapons, and enriched uranium to levels with no explanation other than its desire for a military nuclear capability, is a state that will break out the moment it is able.
“The idea of continuing to develop a nuclear bomb still beats in their hearts. We bear responsibility to ensure that the nuclear project, which has been severely damaged, in close cooperation with the Americans, will never be operated.”
Barnea offered condolences to the families of the victims of the massacre in Australia and addressed efforts by Iran and terrorist organizations to target Jewish and Israeli sites. “The criminal terrorist idea of harming innocent civilians was and remains at the core of the current Iranian regime’s security strategy,” he said.
“Jihadist elements, ISIS, and others have also said they intend to harm every Jew in the world. Our hearts are with the families of the Australian victims. The goal of these terrorist attacks is to break our spirit. Our spirit will not be broken.
“We will continue to celebrate our holidays and live our lives in Israel and around the world. We will find the perpetrators and their Iranian dispatchers, and also the jihadists, wherever they flee, and we will hold them to account. Justice will be done and seen to be done. They know this well. Light will overcome darkness.”
The excellence ceremony was held at the President’s Residence in the presence of the president, the prime minister, and the Mossad director, with former Mossad chiefs, employees, commanders, and the families of the honorees attending.