Russia And Iran Compactly Highlight Israel's Nuclear Weapons, Alludes To IAEA

Spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova. (Source: Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service)

JAKARTA - Russia and Iran are compactly highlighting Israel's nuclear issue after a statement by one of its ministers, calling on the UN nuclear watchdog to take immediate action.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday dismissed Minister of Cultural Heritage Amihay Eliyahu, following his remarks regarding options for using nuclear weapons in the war in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

"That's one way," Eliyahu said in an interview on the raido about the choice of nuclear use.

The statement also drew Russian attention through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying it raised many questions.

"The number one question is, have we heard the official declaration that (Israel) has a nuclear weapon?" said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova, quoted from TASS.

"Therefore, the next question that arises is: Where is the international organization, where is the IAEA, and where is the inspector?" he continued.

Zakharova further said the statement explained the real reason why Tel Aviv opposed the formation of a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East.

According to the diplomat, the United States is making every effort to help Israel acquire nuclear weapons, and provide full support in this regard.

"If this program is true and there is, where the test is carried out, at what testing ground? Obviously, it's not in the area, then where is it? And isn't the United States behind all this?" asked Zakharova.

In fact, Eliyahu's statement in an interview with Radio Kol on November 5 had been dismissed by PM Benjamin Netanyahu's office and criticized by Arab League countries, such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia to Syria.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian said the statement was an indication of Israel's failure.

"The statement of the Israeli regime's ministers using atomic bombs shows the regime's real defeat against resistance," he said, quoted by the Tehran Times.

"The UN Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency must take immediate and relentless action to strip these barbaric and apartheid regimes. Tomorrow it will be too late. The full responsibility for this genocide lies with the White House," he stressed.

It said Israel did not publicly admit that it had nuclear weapons, although the American Federation of Scientists estimates Israel has about 90 nuclear warheads.

"Eliyahu's statement is not based on reality. Israel and the IDF (military) operate according to international law's highest standards to avoid harm to innocent people. We will continue to do so until our victory," said PM Netanyahu's office.