"The Iranian threat does not focus solely on Israel," Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned Tuesday, saying that the Islamic republic has not relinquished its dreams of world domination.
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Speaking at a conference hosted by the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at Reichman University (IDC) in Herzliya, Gantz explained that "Iran seeks regional and then a global hegemony, and to impose an extremist ideology in which human rights are trampled, LGBTQs are hanged, women are marginalized, and resources are allocated for the benefit of the regime."
Tehran's efforts to that effect include "taking over failing states like Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. The method is clear: First we take Damascus, then we take Berlin. Iran is also operating outside the region, transferring oil and weapons to Venezuela, deploying its Quds Force in South America, and trying to gain influence in Afghanistan," Ganz continued.
"Iranian terrorism is being promoted with the approval of [Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei and under the regime's directive."
The defense minister noted that one of the main tools Iran uses is drones, which are "precision weapons that can reach strategic targets thousands of kilometers away.
"This capability already endangers Sunni countries, international forces in the Middle East and also countries in Europe and Africa."
Gantz speech included explanations about drone bases in southern Iran, from where UAV attacks were launched at targets in and near Gulf waters.
The Islamic republic is also using drones to transport weapons to terrorist groups in Judea and Samaria, he warned.
Gantz urged world leaders to resist Iranian pressure and underscored the shared interest they have with Israel with respect to curbing the ayatollahs' military and nuclear aspirations.
"World nations have many tools with which to face and counter the threat, and a 'Plan B' must be put in place" in case the diplomatic options fail, he said.
"We will continue to work in full cooperation with our American friends and with other countries. The world has the tools and the interest to stop Iran, which undermines the economy, foreign policy, security and moral values.
"There is no doubt that a diplomatic solution is best, but at the same time there the option to use force must be on the table as well as a continuation of diplomacy by other means. Sometimes using force and demonstrating it can prevent the need for stronger measures. I thank our American friends for the sanctions and other measures recently taken to reach this common goal," he said.
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