"The threat of creating a nuclear weapon may remain, even if we assume that Iran's nuclear facilities are very seriously damaged or destroyed. This makes me think that the conflict will not end so quickly".
This was stated to the Bulgarian National Radio by Prof. Todor Tagarev, former Minister of Defense, after the United States carried out strikes against nuclear facilities in Iran that night.
Tagarev described these actions as expected.
"A diplomatic approach was attempted to terminate Iran's nuclear program. Not only by the US, when Trump called on them to sit at the negotiating table. The foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany met with the foreign minister of Iran. But Iranian leaders have indicated that they have no intention of yielding to pressure and can negotiate when the Israeli campaign stops.
The last factor that gave me reason to believe that a US strike is imminent was that yesterday Israeli forces began to strike not only Iranian nuclear facilities and medium-range missile launchers with which Iran attacks Israel, but also short-range missiles with which Iran can potentially attack US bases in the Middle East.
The fact that Iran is giving clear indications that it has no intention of agreeing to negotiations and that there is an environment created by Israel that would significantly increase the chances of a US strike being successful, led to the actual carrying out of this strike last night.
There are no doubts about Iran's nuclear program, Tagarev said on the program "Sunday" 150".
"They have been implementing a program for decades that is becoming increasingly ambitious. Iran is not adhering to the conditions for the peaceful use of the atom".
The former Minister of Defense commented on what security measures should be taken in our country.
"I don't see any reason for Iran to take action in Bulgaria. In addition to the ongoing strikes in Israel, it can take such strikes in the Middle East and activate proxies. "Hamas" and "Hezbollah" are quite weakened. The remaining ones are the Houthis and some Shiite militias in Iraq. They can take action. But all of this has already been played out. The last few days were used to strengthen the defense of American bases against possible attacks".