Israeli intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz revealed that Israel is planning a diplomatic offensive to stop up pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah at the United Nations. In an interview to the Associated Press, Minister Katz said he believes conditions are ripe to take a stand against Tehran’s aggressive actions across the Middle East, including its support for Hezbollah. Katz stressed that the Israeli bid will aim to stimulate the international community, after years of inaction, to tightly enforce UN Security Council resolution 1701 that initiated a cease-fire agreement that called on Hezbollah to disarm and stay clear from Lebanon’s northern border with Israel. The Israeli intelligence Minister further noted that the surprise resignation of Lebanon’s Prime Minister Sa’ad al-Hariri has created a golden opportunity to strike at Iran and its allies, that are actively pursuing regional dominance.
Israeli intelligence officials told TV7 that Israel has closely been monitoring Iran’s activities in both Lebanon and Syria, while reiterating their concern that the current trend points to Tehran’s successful efforts to create a territorial corridor from Iran through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea. The officials warned that Iran’s aspirations may force Israel into an armed conflict with the Islamic Republic, to thwart its ability to stage attacks on the Jewish state from its northern neighbors.