Defence Minister Benny Gantz told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee of a “Middle East Air Defence Alliance” being developed in coordination with the U.S., and asserted that “this program is already operative and has already enabled the successful interception of Iranian attempts to attack Israel and other countries”. He also asserted that “Iran’s refusal to cooperate with the IAEA is prove that it cannot be a partner to a new nuclear deal that will distance it from obtaining nuclear weapons… The entire world, under the leadership of our friend the U.S., must exert political economic and even military pressure on Tehran”. “I have raised with colleagues in the Pentagon the comprehensive plan of action, which we are preparing to bolster Israeli cooperation with others in the region with American support”, Gantz added.