By Zein Khalil
JERUSALEM (AA) – A high-level Israeli military official claimed Sunday that Iran’s ballistic missiles pose an "existential threat" to Tel Aviv.
"Israel cannot coexist with Iran's ballistic missiles," the official, who was not identified, said in comments carried by the state broadcaster KAN.
The Iranian ballistic missiles are "an existential threat, not merely a limited military challenge," he claimed.
He said that Tehran had possessed nearly 2,000 missiles before the Israeli attack on Iran last June.
“Since then, Iran began to reproduce and expand its systems at a significant pace," he alleged.
“Estimates indicate Iran's ability to launch dozens of missiles simultaneously, which further complicates any future confrontation scenario."
The official said any Israeli or US strike on Iran “will not be sufficient if it focuses solely on the nuclear program without addressing the missile launch infrastructure, stockpiles, and manufacturing capabilities."
“The Iranian missile threat is no longer a secondary issue, but has become central to Israeli security calculations,” he said.
On Saturday, KAN, citing an unnamed Israeli military official, said a planned US attack on Iran has been delayed until the US military buildup completes.
Security sources said that discussions within the Israeli military's high command concluded that Washington is still completing its troop deployment and needs additional time before launching any potential attack against Iran.
US and Israeli pressure has been escalating on Tehran since the outbreak of anti-government protests in Iran in late December, triggered by worsening economic conditions.
Last June, Israel, with US backing, launched a 12-day war against Iran, prompting retaliatory drone and missile attacks from Tehran before Washington announced a ceasefire.
*Writing by Rania Abushamala