Ehud Olmert, the former Israeli prime minister, said a renewed nuclear agreement between the United States and Iran is the only realistic path to preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Speaking on the program 'Frankly Speaking,' he argued that diplomacy, not military force, offers the most effective solution. He said a deal that limits uranium enrichment, removes any military dimension from Iran's nuclear program and restores strict international inspections would ultimately serve Israel's core security interests, even if its current government resists it.
Although he described recent joint United States and Israeli strikes on Iran as tactically impressive, Olmert questioned their long-term strategy and political objective. He said the conflict has reached a stalemate, with no clear endgame beyond military action. In his view, only a negotiated settlement can eliminate the immediate nuclear threat and stabilize the region.
Olmert also sharply criticized Israeli government policies in the occupied West Bank, accusing radical settlers of carrying out actions that amount to ethnic cleansing. He said attacks on Palestinians, including the burning of property and forced displacement, constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, and he faulted Israeli authorities for failing to stop the violence. He further called for political solutions in Gaza and Lebanon, urging negotiations with the Lebanese government to curb Hezbollah rather than relying solely on military pressure.
With elections expected in Israel later this year, Olmert expressed hope that the current governing coalition will be voted out, arguing that it has failed to advance Israel's long-term security through effective political leadership.

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