The Iranian nuclear project has been under development for decades, posing an increasing threat to global security. Over the years, the international community, particularly the United States, Western powers, and Israel, has expressed mounting concerns. Recently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran is alarmingly close to acquiring weapons-grade nuclear capabilities, with uranium enrichment nearing 90%—a critical threshold for bomb production. This reality demands urgent and decisive action.
The first option often proposed is a diplomatic solution. Negotiations such as the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) sought to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions through international oversight and sanctions relief. However, these efforts have repeatedly failed. Iran has a long history of violating agreements, using diplomacy as a cover to advance its nuclear program covertly. For instance, satellite imagery and intelligence have exposed secret nuclear facilities in Fordow and Natanz, undermining the credibility of Iranian commitments. Diplomacy, while ideal in theory, has proven ineffective against a regime that thrives on duplicity.
The second option is to accept Iran as a nuclear power. This approach, however, is fraught with risks. A nuclear-armed Iran would embolden its regional aggression, intensify its support for proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, and destabilize an already volatile Middle East. The regime’s theocratic and ultra-radical nature amplifies the danger. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei wields near-absolute authority, meaning a single individual could unilaterally decide to deploy nuclear weapons. The potential for miscalculation or deliberate escalation makes this option unacceptable, not only for Israel but for the broader international community.
Given these realities, a third and more pragmatic option emerges: a military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. Israel, whose very survival is threatened by Iran’s repeated calls for its annihilation, has consistently asserted that it will not allow Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu famously stated, “The lessons of history have taught us that the Jewish people cannot afford to be passive in the face of existential threats.”
Until now, regional dynamics have constrained Israel’s ability to act. However, the tide has turned. Iran’s proxies are significantly weakened. Hezbollah has suffered crippling losses in leadership and infrastructure following confrontations with Israel. Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza are similarly debilitated, with their operational capacities severely reduced. The Assad regime in Syria has fallen. This diminished network of proxies reduces the likelihood of coordinated retaliation against Israel, creating a window of opportunity for preemptive action.
Additionally, geopolitical shifts favor such an operation. Trump’s return to the white house could bolster Israeli efforts. During his previous term, Trump withdrew from the JCPOA, reinstated stringent sanctions on Iran, and demonstrated unwavering support for Israeli security. His previous administration’s actions, such as the targeted killing of Qassem Soleimani (Iranian military leader), showcased a willingness to confront Iranian aggression directly.
Canada’s stance on this issue is also worth noting. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, the frontrunner in the next federal election, has expressed unequivocal support for Israel’s right to defend itself. As Poilievre stated, “Canada stands firmly with Israel against threats to its existence, and we will not waver in opposing the Iranian regime’s dangerous agenda.”
The path forward may be fraught with challenges, but the stakes are too high to allow inaction. For the sake of regional stability, global security, and the future of liberal democracies, decisive measures must be taken to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power.
Dotan Rousso was born and raised in Israel and holds a Ph.D. in Law. He is a former criminal prosecutor in Israel. He currently lives in Alberta and teaches Philosophy at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).
