![Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement during a visit to the site of the Weizmann Institute of Science, which was hit by an Iranian missile barrage, in the central city of Rehovot on June 20, 2025. [Photo by Jack GUEZ / POOL / AFP / Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/GettyImages-2220316117-1.jpg?fit=920%2C613&ssl=1)
Israeli reserve Major General Uzi Dayan, who is close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel was, in his assessment, fighting a “war for its existence”, warning that it could not rely entirely on the United States to deal with the Iranian issue.
In a television interview, Dayan said Israel was preparing for the possibility of carrying out a pre-emptive strike against Iran, stressing that it needed to retain freedom of action in responding to what it sees as an Iranian threat.
His remarks come amid continued tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme and military capabilities, and growing debate in Israel over whether it could take independent military action if the United States does not take steps that Tel Aviv considers sufficient.
Dayan’s comments carry political and military significance, particularly given his previous senior security and military positions.
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