The process for approving sensitive security-related operations was not being followed properly, former IDF Military Intelligence Directorate chief Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Yadlin said on Tuesday, adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be acting outside his legal bounds.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The former military intelligence chief's comments came on the heels of an explosion at the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz on Sunday, which Iran has attributed to Israel.
Yadlin also insinuated that Netanyahu was fueling tensions with Iran for domestic political purposes, as he tries to form a coalition following last month's elections.
"Sensitive operations, with diplomatic and security ramifications that include the risk of [military] escalation, require government approval," Yadlin wrote in a series of tweets.
"The government authorizes the security cabinet to decide, and the cabinet authorizes the prime minister and the defense minister," he said.
"This whole process has not taken place and decisions are taken excluding all decision-making bodies," Yadlin added.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described the power outage at the sensitive site, which was reportedly caused by a remote-detonated explosive device, as an act of "terrorism."
Zarif also said the attack was a "very bad gamble" by Israel which will strengthen Tehran's hand in talks with major powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.
On Tuesday, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is also his country's chief nuclear negotiator, said Tehran will begin enriching uranium to 60% purity after the attack at Natanz, higher than the program ever has before.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
Press TV, the Iranian state television's English-language arm, separately said the enrichment would begin as of Wednesday.
The broadcaster also quoted Araghchi as saying Iran would introduce another 1,000 centrifuges at Natanz, without elaborating.
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
