John Kerry threatens Israel with ‘grave consequences’ if they attack Iran, would justify ‘nuclear program’

Secretary of State John Kerry sat down with Matt Lauer for an interview on Today earlier, defending the deal with Iran and offering a warning to Israel to target the Iranians through a direct attack or an act of cyberterrorism.

Lauer does point out to Kerry that opposition to the Iran deal encompasses practically the whole Israeli political spectrum.

Kerry responded by noting that a few Israelis support it, “the former head of Shin Bet … the former head of Mossad,” but ignored remarks made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political opponent from the last election Isaac Herzog.

When Lauer hinted at these tensions, Kerry responded that any such action would provide justification for Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Lauer: Do you think because many in Israel including the prime minister are very uncomfortable with the deal that the it’s now making it more likely than two years ago, for example, that Israel might attempt some unilateral action — military or cyber attack against Iran?

Kerry: Well I think that would be an enormous mistake. A huge mistake with grave consequences for Israel and the region, and I don’t think it’s necessary. The fact is we will have for 15 years a restraint on Iran that absolutely prevents it from developing a weapon. They can’t enrich beyond 3.67%. You can’t make a bomb at 3.67% they will have only 300 kilograms in a stockpile of enriched uranium. You can’t make a bomb with that. They would have inspections on a daily basis the in their facilities.

The Obama administration is assuming that the Iranians will never cheat on the agreement.

Lauer: If the Israelis are not convinced and they take action where would it leave us the? Would we support Israel? Would the treaty go up in smoke?

Kerry: If they bombed them, sure Matt. I presume Iran would have a reason to say this is why we need a bomb. And what Iran will decide to do is dig deeper because Israel doesn’t have the ability to stop, nor do we, unless we went to all out war and literally annihilated Iran which I don’t are hear people talking about. So if you proceed with a normal military operation, you are talking about rolling back the program for two to three years. Then what do you do? And if you did that what will Iran’s response be? They are likely to decide now you have proven why we need a bomb and they will dig deeper and go get it.

Just days after the deal was struck, the Supreme Leader Ali Khameini led chants “Death to Israel” and “Death to America.”

The Washington Post reports that MoveOn will be launching protests at August townhall meetings to show support for the Iranian dead.