Iran is finally making serious mistakes. Let us hope they will amount to a critical mass enough to convince the Biden administration and Europe that the Islamist Republic is a threat to world order.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
It seems Tehran has come to the conclusion that the West is so pathetic and its eagerness to return to a nuclear deal is so pitiable that it can act in ways that even regimes like North Korea and Russia do not dare.
Taking responsibility, albeit indirectly, for the attack on the Israeli-owned merchant ship off the coast of Oman, along with vowing revenge for Israel killing terrorists, is a leap forward in fighting the Iranian threat.
The deadly regime has already demonstrated how war it is willing to go, with the 1994 bombing in Buenos Aires, the attempted assassination attempt of Saudi Ambassador to Washington Adel al-Jubeir, and the attempted abduction of dissident Iranian American journalist Masih Alinejad. It also operates a global dormant terrorist network.
In recent months, Tehran has threatened world trade by attacking civilian-owned ships without even claiming that they somehow harmed Iran or endangered its interests.
Israel is not the only one who should be concerned with Iran's latest attack on the ship. Already in the 1980s, Tehran made it clear that not only did it target Israeli citizens in a war, but every Jew, no matter where they lived.
Not even a Japanese ship, with European citizens on board and a Liberian flag, is safe, as long as the company that operates it is partly owned by an Israeli businessman.
Iran's latest action not only obligates Israel to step up its political efforts, but also its offensive.
In the political arena, it must continue to speak out against lifting the sanctions on Iran, emphasizing that a renewed nuclear agreement will not only not reduce the nuclear threat, but will give Iran the tools to progress in its regional aspirations.
In terms of offensive, not only must Israel increase its attacks in Syria, but also its counter measures, and to expand them far beyond the nuclear field.
No agreement can be struck with the Iranian regime without self-deception. Anything that is good for Iran harms Israel, the Arab countries, Europe and the United States. And vice versa.
Now is the time to convince all countries that want to keep international shipping lanes safe, to isolate Iran politically and economically and prevent it from accumulating strategic assets at all costs.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
