Inside Story

Will Israel attack Iran?

Israel’s military says it is preparing a number of operational plans to attack Iran, but Tehran dismissed the claims as ‘psychological war’.

Israel has warned that it is revising its plans for a possible military attack on Iran, a provocation which Tehran has dismissed.

Iran’s presidential chief of staff said comments by Israel’s top army general are “psychological war”, adding that Iran was ready to defend itself.

Israel has long accused the Iranians of wanting to develop a nuclear bomb and putting Israel’s security at risk.

Tehran denies the allegations and maintains its energy programme is for peaceful purposes.

It is urging the new US administration to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal that limits Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.

Is this a real threat or, as Tehran calls it, a “psychological war”?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

Guests:

Mitchell Barak – Former spokesman for Israeli President Shimon Peres

Ali Akbar Dareini – Researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies

Hillary Mann Leverett – Former director for Afghanistan, Iran & Persian Gulf Affairs at the US National Security Council