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America Must Stand Up to Iran’s Nuclear Threat — Before It’s Too Late
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 25, 2025. Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS
The specter of a nuclear-armed Iran looms larger than ever, with Tehran aggressively advancing its uranium enrichment program and openly defying international pressure.
Despite previous diplomatic efforts and economic sanctions, Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain unchecked, posing a dire threat to regional stability and global security. At the heart of this crisis lies an urgent question: will the United States stand firmly against this threat — and stand firmly beside its closest Middle Eastern ally, Israel, to prevent an existential catastrophe?
Iran’s nuclear program has entered a dangerous new phase, with intelligence reports indicating uranium enrichment nearing weapons-grade levels. The Islamic Republic has long claimed that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, but the evidence suggests otherwise. The fact that Iran continues to develop ballistic missile technology — capable of carrying nuclear warheads — only reinforces the fears of its adversaries.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed military threats against Iran’s nuclear facilities, asserting that “Iran’s nuclear program cannot be destroyed through military operations. .. this is a technology that we have achieved, and the technology is in the brains and cannot be bombed.” Such rhetoric reflects Iran’s growing confidence in its ability to defy the international community, while steadily advancing its nuclear capabilities.
Israel has never shied away from taking decisive action against hostile nations seeking nuclear weapons. In 1981, Israeli fighter jets carried out Operation Opera, destroying Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor. A similar strike was executed in 2007, when Israel bombed Syria’s nuclear reactor in Deir ez-Zor. These operations were not just acts of military aggression, but calculated moves to protect Israel’s very survival — and the security of the entire region.
Now, with Iran inching closer to nuclear breakout capacity, Israeli officials are signaling that time is running out. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that Israel will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, even if it means launching a unilateral military strike. The stakes are clear: a nuclear-armed Iran would embolden its proxies — Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terrorist organizations — to escalate attacks on Israel, destabilizing the entire region. And, of course, Iran has promised to destroy Israel, and complete a complete genocide against its people.
For decades, the United States has been Israel’s most steadfast ally, providing military aid, intelligence-sharing, and diplomatic backing. However, Iran’s nuclear advancements present a new test for Washington. President Donald Trump’s recent letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, offering negotiations for a nuclear deal, has been met with outright rejection. While diplomatic solutions should always be explored, history has shown that Iran only responds to strength, not appeasement.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump laid out the stark choice facing Tehran. “There are two ways Iran can be handled, militarily or you make a deal,” he told Fox News. “I would prefer to make a deal, because I’m not looking to hurt Iran. They’re great people. I know so many Iranians from this country.”
However, Iran’s Supreme Leader dismissed the offer, stating that “the insistence of some bullying governments to negotiate is not to solve problems, but to impose their own expectations.” His rejection signals that Iran remains uninterested in direct negotiations with Washington, a stance that further complicates efforts to curb its nuclear ambitions.
Yet, there is a small window for engagement. Iran’s UN mission recently indicated a willingness to discuss the “militarization” of its nuclear program, while rejecting outright dismantlement. This ambiguous position suggests Tehran may be open to negotiations only on its own terms — terms unlikely to satisfy the United States or Israel.
The consequences of failing to counter Iran’s nuclear ambitions extend far beyond Israel. A nuclear-armed Iran could trigger a regional arms race, with countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey seeking their own nuclear capabilities in response. This would dismantle decades of non-proliferation efforts and heighten the risk of nuclear conflict in an already volatile region.
Moreover, an emboldened Iran would pose a direct threat to American interests. Iran has already demonstrated its willingness to attack US military bases and disrupt global energy markets through proxy warfare. If Iran acquires nuclear weapons, these threats would become exponentially more dangerous, as the country would operate with the ultimate deterrent against any retaliation.
The US must move beyond empty diplomatic gestures and take decisive action to counter Iran’s nuclear threat. This means strengthening Israel’s military capabilities, enforcing crippling economic sanctions on Iran, and ensuring that all options — including military intervention — remain on the table.
Backing Israel in this critical moment is not just about supporting an ally — it is about safeguarding global security and preventing a nuclear-armed rogue state from dictating the balance of power in the Middle East. A failure to act decisively now could lead to irreversible consequences, not only for Israel but for the entire world.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions must be met with an unequivocal response. The United States must do whatever it takes to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, using every means necessary to ensure Tehran does not cross the red line. While diplomacy has a role to play, history has shown that only a firm, unwavering stance backed by credible military deterrence can force Iran to abandon its nuclear aspirations. Time is running out, and hesitation is not an option.
Amine Ayoub, a Middle East Forum fellow, is a policy analyst and writer based in Morocco.
The post America Must Stand Up to Iran’s Nuclear Threat — Before It’s Too Late first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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South Africa Distances Itself From Army Chief’s Pledges of Military, Political Support to Iran
Iranian Major General Amir Hatami and South African General Rudzani Maphwanya meet in Tehran to discuss strengthening military cooperation and strategic ties. Photo: Screenshot
South Africa’s army chief has faced domestic backlash after pledging military and political support to Iran during a recent visit, prompting government officials to distance themselves from his remarks over concerns they could harm Pretoria’s efforts to strengthen ties with the United States.
Members of South Africa’s governing coalition have denounced Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya, chief of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), for his trip to Tehran earlier this week, describing his remarks as “reckless grandstanding.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s second-largest party in the governing coalition, has called for Maphwanya to be court-martialed for breaking neutrality and violating military law, saying his comments had gone “beyond military-to-military discussions and entered the realm of foreign policy.”
“This reckless grandstanding comes at a time when South Africa’s relations with key democratic partners, especially the United States, are already under severe strain,” DA defense spokesperson Chris Hattingh said in a statement.
“The SANDF’s job is to lead and manage the defense forces, not to act as an unsanctioned political envoy. Allowing our most senior military officer to make partisan foreign policy pronouncements is strategically reckless, diplomatically irresponsible, and economically self-defeating,” he continued.
“South Africa cannot afford to have its international standing further sabotaged by political adventurism from the military’s top brass,” Hattingh said.
Iran and South Africa held high-level military talks earlier this week as both nations seek to deepen cooperation and strengthen their partnership against what officials called “global arrogance and aggressive colonial approaches.”
During a joint press conference with Iranian Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami, Maphwanya called for deeper ties between the two nations, especially in defense cooperation, affirming that “the Republic of South Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran have common goals.”
“We always stand alongside the oppressed and defenseless people of the world,” the South African general said.
He also criticized Israel over the ongoing war in Gaza, expressed support for the Palestinian people, and told Iranian officials that his visit “conveys a political message” on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration.
However, shortly after Maphwanya’s remarks drew media attention, the South African government moved to distance itself from his comments, with the Foreign Affairs Ministry stating that his comments “do not represent the government’s official foreign policy stance.”
The Defense Department, which described Maphwanya’s comments as “unfortunate,” confirmed that he is now expected to meet with the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, upon his return to provide explanations.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, clarified that the president was neither aware of the trip nor had he sanctioned it.
“The visit was ill-advised and more so, the expectation is that the general should have been a lot more circumspect with the comments he makes,” Magwenya told reporters during a press conference on Thursday.
“It is crucial to clarify that the implementation of South Africa’s foreign policy is a function of the presidency,” he continued. “Any statements made by an individual, or a department other than those responsible for foreign policy, should not be misinterpreted as the official position of the South African government.”
Maphwanya’s trip to Iran came after the Middle East Africa Research Institute (MEARI) released a recent report detailing how South Africa’s deepening ties with Tehran have led the country to compromise its democratic foundations and constitutional principles by aligning itself with a regime internationally condemned for terrorism, repression, and human rights abuses.
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Democrat Pete Buttigieg Toughens Stance on Israel, Says He Backs Arms Embargo Following Left-Wing Pressure
Former US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks during an appearance on the “Pod Save America” podcast on Aug. 10, 2025. Photo: Screenshot
Former US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Democrat considered by many observers to be a potential 2028 presidential candidate, has recalibrated his stance on Israel, moving from cautious language to a far more critical position after facing backlash over recent comments on the popular “Pod Save America” podcast.
In his podcast interview on Sunday, Buttigieg called Israel “a friend” and said the United States should “put your arm around” the country during difficult times. He also sidestepped a direct answer on whether the US should recognize a Palestinian state, describing the question as “profound” but offering little elaboration beyond calls for peace.
That measured approach drew sharp criticism from progressives and foreign policy voices who argued that his words were too vague amid the ongoing war in Gaza and a shifting sentiment within the Democratic party base regarding Israel. Evolving fault lines within the Democratic Party over US policy toward its staunch Middle Eastern ally signal that the issue could loom large in the 2028 presidential primary.
Following Sunday’s interview, US Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) urged Buttigieg to show “moral clarity,” while Ben Rhodes, former White House aide to President Barack Obama, said he was left uncertain where the Cabinet official stood. Social media critics accused Buttigieg of offering platitudes that dodged hard policy commitments.
In a follow-up interview with Politico published on Thursday, Buttigieg took a decidedly tougher line. He said he supports recognizing a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution and ending the decades-long practice of providing military aid to the Jewish state through sweeping, multi-year packages. Instead, he called for a case-by-case review of assistance, while emphasizing the need to stop civilian deaths, release hostages, and ensure unimpeded humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Perhaps most significantly, Buttigieg indicated support for a US arms embargo on Israel, saying he would have signed on to Sen. Bernie Sanders’s recently proposed resolution to prohibit arms sales to the Jewish state.
The shift places Buttigieg closer to the party’s progressive flank on foreign policy, a notable change for a figure often viewed as a bridge between the Democratic establishment and younger, more liberal voters. For a likely 2028 contender, the move reflects both the political risks of appearing out of step with an increasingly skeptical base and the growing influence of voices calling for sharper limits on US support for Israel.
Recent polling shows a generational divide on the issue, with younger Democrats far more likely to back conditioning aid to Israel and recognizing Palestinian statehood.
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Former Algemeiner Correspondent Gidon Ben-Zvi Dies at 51
Gidon Ben-Zvi. Photo: Screenshot
Gidon Ben-Zvi, former Jerusalem Correspondent for The Algemeiner, has died at the age of 51 after a fight with cancer.
Ben-Zvi continued to write op-eds for The Algemeiner even after he left as a correspondent, including in the aftermath of Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, massacre across southern Israel.
An accomplished writer, Ben-Zvi left Hollywood for Jerusalem in 2009, moving back to Israel after spending 12 years in the United States. From 1994-1997, Gidon served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in an infantry unit.
In addition to writing for The Algemeiner, Ben-Zvi contributed to the Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post, CiF Watch, and blogged at Jerusalem State of Mind.
Ben-Zvi joined HonestReporting as a senior editor in June 2020, becoming an integral part of the editorial department and writing dozens of articles and media critiques for the watchdog group exposing anti-Israel bias. He moved with his family to Haifa at the end of 2022.
Ben-Zvi’s final article for HonestReporting was published in January 2025, before he took a leave of absence for health reasons. HonestReporting said in a newly published obituary that staff believed he would eventually return, noting the positivity and perseverance he exuded. The advocacy group said it learned of Ben-Zvi’s passing late last month.
Ben-Zvi leaves behind his wife, Debbie, and four young children.
All Ben-Zvi’s articles for The Algemeiner can be found here.
May his memory be a blessing.