Iran has already started rebuilding its nuclear program and will keep pursuing atomic weapons while the current regime remains in power, according to David Barnea.
Speaking on Wednesday at a conference organized by Israel Hayom in New York, Barnea said that no diplomatic agreement can permanently block Iranian nuclear ambitions.
The regime now views nuclear weapons as its sole guarantee for survival amid growing political and economic weakness, Barnea said, as reported by i24news.tv. The former intelligence chief urged a total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz alongside continued economic sanctions to cut off Iran from oil revenues.
“This regime will struggle to survive with a ruined economy and without the revenues from its oil exports,” Barnea told i24news.tv. He also addressed the military option, suggesting that a new war could accelerate the fall of the Iranian leadership while acknowledging it would cause severe turbulence in global energy markets and the wider economy.
Barnea sharply criticized the prospect of a new nuclear agreement with Iran, describing it as a reward for a regime built on destruction and terrorism. Such an accord would grant the Iranian authorities stability and impunity, he warned. He praised United States President Donald Trump, asserting that his leadership could trigger the regime’s collapse.
“He prioritizes the long-term interests of the world rather than immediate popularity,” Barnea told i24news.tv, adding that the Iranian population awaits a chance to demand freedom in the streets.
Turning to Israeli operations against Hezbollah, Barnea detailed the pager operation as a surgical strike that disabled thousands of operatives and crippled the command structure of the Lebanese group.
He maintained that dozens of checks were conducted to prevent civilian casualties, even at the cost of operational effectiveness. Regarding the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, he called it a historic moment of pure justice, noting that Mossad and military intelligence supplied exact data to Israeli pilots.
Israel currently holds a much stronger strategic position because Hamas and Hezbollah have lost substantial power while the Iranian government fights for survival, Barnea stated. He added that peace with Lebanon is now a realistic possibility.
Reflecting on his own children serving in combat zones in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, Barnea paid tribute to Israeli soldiers before concluding his remarks.
“Israel is much stronger than before,” Barnea told i24news.tv. “It is now up to it to decide what comes next, while all options remain open.”
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