Netanyahu with Defense Minister Gallant and National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi
Netanyahu with Defense Minister Gallant and National Security Council head Tzachi HanegbiAmos Ben-Gershom/GPO

In recent weeks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held five secret discussions on the Iranian issue, in which it was decided to significantly raise the level of Israeli preparation and readiness for an attack on the nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic, Channel 12 News reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, Israel’s top defense officials participated in the discussions, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, the head of the Mossad, the head of the National Security Council, the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, the head of the Operations Directorate, as well as the operational ranks of the relevant units in the IDF.

The summaries of these meetings, from which messages were conveyed by Prime Minister Netanyahu to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, President Joe Biden’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and French President Emmanuel Macron, made it clear that if the world does not act against Iran - Israel will be forced to act and will not hesitate to do so.

The discussions were convened in light of reports that Iran has enriched uranium to a level of 84%, only 6% short of the enrichment level required for a nuclear bomb.

Meanwhile, Israel in recent days has conveyed messages to Hamas and Hezbollah, noting that the fact that there is an "explosive" political situation in Israel does not mean that Israel is not militarily prepared for any possibility - and will react disproportionately to any attempt to harm it.