Israeli minister nods as journalist urges nuclear strike on IranA disturbing proposal aired on Israeli television this week as a journalist suggested that Israel should use a nuclear weapon against Iran. Speaking on an Israeli channel, journalist Shimon Riklin turned to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir—a figure already sanctioned internationally for extremism—and declared: “The time has come for Israel to use an atomic bomb in Iran.” When the program’s host asked Ben-Gvir for his reaction, the minister smiled and replied: “Let him speak,” effectively endorsing the statement.
Riklin, who estimated that Israel possesses between 50 and 60 nuclear warheads, attempted to justify his suggestion by claiming that an atomic strike would cause only a limited number of immediate deaths while saving many more lives in the long term. The remarks have been widely condemned as reckless and genocidal, echoing similar extremist rhetoric previously directed at Gaza. Ben-Gvir was seen laughing in response to the journalist’s comments.
The exchange has raised urgent questions about the role of nuclear-armed Israel in the current conflict, as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues to escalate. Since the joint offensive began on February 28, more than 1,340 people have been killed in Iran, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. For Türkiye, which has consistently condemned the use of disproportionate force and called for respect for international law, any threat of nuclear use—even from a non-state actor or media figure—is deeply alarming. Ankara has long advocated for a nuclear-free Middle East and urges the international community to take such threats seriously before they normalize further escalation.
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