World press on Iranian nuclear programme (March 10, 2014)

The Jerusalem Post today published an article by Herb Keinon and Yaakov Lappin headlined "Netanyahu slams world's hypocrisy in not strongly condemning Iran's arms shipment to Gaza."

The article begins: "Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu blasted the world's hypocrisy on Monday, saying there is a wave of condemnation of Israel when it "builds a balcony in Jerusalem," but only a drizzle of censure when Iran tries to smuggle long-range missiles into Gaza."

"Netanyahu, standing at a naval base in Eilat in front of rows of interdicted Syrian missiles and Iranian mortar shells, said that there are those in the world who did not want Israel to show the intercepted ordnance because they were not interested in knowing what was truly happening inside Iran, but rather to "develop the illusion that Iran has changed direction"," the article reads.

The article's authors site Netanyahu saying that the facts "prove exact the opposite." "Without mentioning EU policy chief Catherine Ashton by name, he did refer critically to her current visit to Iran," the article reads.

"On Sunday Netanyahu said he expected Ashton to raise this issue during her visit in Iran. Diplomatic officials told The Jerusalem Post that relations between Ashton and Netanyahu are strained, and that the two have not spoken since August," the article's authors add.

"Speaking at Eilat port at the exhibition of Iranian arms, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said, "What we're seeing here is another example of the fact that the Iranian regime is actually the largest terror exporter in the world. There is no conflict in the Middle East that this regime does not nourish with weapons or ammunition, with money or knowledge in terrorism. From Afghanistan, through Bahrain, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and in this case, the Gaza Strip." The defense minister said the rockets on display were meant to be fired on Israeli citizens," the article continues.

According to the article's authors, Ya'alon added that global arms networks run by Iran  transport explosives to Iranian embassies in Asia and South America by using diplomatic means.

"This is the real face of the Iranian regime that is behind the charm and smiles offensive. It has not changed its ways and it has not changed its long term goals, be they exporting the revolution, harming pro-Western regimes in the Middle East, or challenging what they call 'the big Satan,' America and Western culture that is led by America," the article quotes Ya'alon's statement.

"Iran also continues to operate in the fields of missiles and its nuclear program, Ya'alon said. "As you can see, we know how to defend ourselves by ourselves, and we will continue to do so, near and far, at sea, in the air, on land, and with the help of the IDF and other security forces," he added," the article concludes.