Pune: Consul general of Israel in Mumbai Yaniv Revach said on Tuesday that the action on Iran was initiated by the US govt and Israel joined because it understood the direct threat by the Iranian regime.He was speaking with journalists in an online interaction on Tuesday.Revach quoted from international media and said that leader and crown prince of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman and president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also want to “continue the efforts to remove the threat completely, because one can’t negotiate with a regime like Iran.”He responded to queries about the energy crisis in India due to the war and said Iran cannot control the Strait of Hormuz and it needs to be open.Revach debunked social media rumours about discrimination against Indians from using underground bunkers and termed it “nasty and completely untrue.” He said all Israelis don’t have bunkers and many of them along with foreigners use underground metro stations — which are open to all and among the safest locations.He was asked when the war would end and if a ground offensive was possible. “Decision on the ground invasion will be taken by the US president. I guess the war will end when we will reach our aim, or when Trump understands or decides that he has reached the goals he wanted to achieve,” said Revach.According to him, Iran’s offensive capabilities have been crippled. “We have succeeded in damaging over 90% of the ballistic missiles and launcher pads. Their air force and navy have been completely destroyed,” he saidRevach responded firmly against criticism of Israel and the war. “I don’t care about public opinion which doesn’t understand how radical Islamist countries operate. Nobody actually said anything about human rights issues in Iran for decades, when the LGBTQ community or women were being raped or abused. In Nigeria, over 1,00,000 Christians have been slaughtered over the last few years by Boko Haram. Have any Western countries held demonstrations for the African people? No, because they don’t have the money or influence that Qatar has on those very Western countries and its media,” he said.Revach took a diplomatic approach on being asked about the role of India mediating between the warring countries. He said it is not for him to say what the Indian govt should do. “I’m sure that India will not demand Israel to stop the war, because India understands Israel and the threat of radical Islamist and terror organisations. At the end of the day, we’re all in the same boat. So many terrorist activities have been happening over the last few years.“
