Israeli Minister Says Conflict With Iran 'Only A Matter Of Time'

Israel’s Finance Minister has fired off another warning on Thursday, saying conflict over Iran's nuclear program was inevitable and only a matter of time.

As multilateral nuclear talks with Iran remain suspended and its uranium enrichment continues to generate fissile material, Liberman told Walla news site that “a confrontation with Iran is only a matter of time, and not a lot of time.”

While the United States and its European allies still insist that agreement can be reached if Iran does not delay the talks, Liberman said that “no diplomatic process or agreement will stop Iran’s nuclear program.

Israeli officials have been warning in recent months that Iran is getting close to the point of no-return and Israel cannot afford to wait for intricate diplomatic processes. Liberman reiterated the point that for Israel Iran’s nuclear program is perceived as an existential threat.

Liberman said that Iran is a bigger threat for Israel that it is for other countries. “They have stated that their policy is the destruction of Israel, and they mean it.”

The government has asked parliament for $1.5 billion more military budget citing the danger from Iran and the need to prepare for it.