Gantz Proposes Five-Point Plan to Halt Iran’s Nuclear Activities

During an online event, the former Israeli defense minister claimed that Iran poses a “global challenge” and a threat to Israel, stating that “a strong nuclear deal without strategic concessions” would be acceptable if negotiated by the United States or the international community.

According to Rokna, Gantz, a member of Israel’s “Blue and White” party, made the remarks during an online conference organized by the pro-Israel “Foundation for Defense of Democracies” (FDD). He proposed a five-point plan that he claimed would ensure Iran’s rollback of its nuclear capabilities by 2028. “Why 2028? It’s an assumption—I hope it’s not a mistake,” he said.

Gantz argued that Iran’s nuclear issue is “not a private matter” and added: “If the U.S. or the international community can deliver an excellent nuclear deal with Tehran without any strategic leniency, I would find that acceptable.”

Referring to the issue of inspections—a sticking point in past negotiations—Gantz said: “Free inspections, anytime, anywhere, without prior notice, and zero tolerance for any obstacle we find; if that’s the case, there’s no problem.”

Blowing Up the Diplomatic Table

Gantz’s remarks come amid heightened tensions following Israeli strikes inside Iran during ongoing indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington, mediated by Oman, over Iran’s nuclear limitations and sanctions relief.

The Israeli strikes targeted nuclear facilities, military sites, and civilian areas—including residential neighborhoods, Evin Prison, and medical centers—resulting in the deaths of nuclear scientists, military commanders, and several civilians. Iran responded with “Operation True Promise 3.”

Washington, which admitted to being fully informed of and supportive of Israel’s actions, later participated directly in the attacks. On June 21, U.S. forces targeted Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites with bunker-buster bombs. Iran retaliated with “Operation Basharat al-Fath,” launching missile strikes on the U.S. Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

On June 23, the U.S. president announced a ceasefire on the social media platform X.

Following the attacks, Iran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), citing the agency’s “biased reports” as paving the way for the assaults.

Later, with Egypt’s mediation, Tehran and the IAEA reached an agreement in Cairo to establish a new framework for cooperation. The deal grants inspectors limited access to selected sites—excluding those bombed—and obliges Iran to submit a report on the status of the affected facilities.

Iran had previously allowed intrusive inspections under the 2015 nuclear deal, even while enduring unilateral U.S. sanctions after Washington’s 2018 withdrawal. Despite Iran’s full compliance, the Trump administration—encouraged by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—quit the accord, deeming it insufficient.

The U.S. president, who claims to have “destroyed” Iran’s nuclear program, has demanded “zero enrichment,” a stance Iran has firmly rejected. Tehran insists that it retains the right to enrich uranium up to 3.67 percent under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which it is a signatory.

Turkey’s NATO Membership and Influence in Syria

According to Jewish Insider, Gantz also discussed Turkey, urging Israel and its allies to encourage Ankara to “reassess its strategic alignment.”

“Turkey needs the West—it’s tied to NATO, and its economy is deeply connected to Europe,” Gantz said. “We should seek to influence Turkey to re-evaluate its position and balance between the West and the extremism of the Muslim Brotherhood.”

He added that Israel should work to form a multilateral partnership across the Eastern Mediterranean that could include Turkey constructively.

“I’m not necessarily calling for confrontation with Turkey,” Gantz explained. “I’m approaching this from a perspective of shared interests—with Greece, Cyprus, ourselves, maybe Italy, or even other European countries that might wish to join this consortium. Cooperation will benefit Turkey far more than confrontation.”

He also stressed the importance of cooperation with NATO partners to encourage Turkey to promote stability in Syria.

His remarks come as Israel and Turkey have often clashed over competing objectives in Syria since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.

Israeli media wrote: “Israel views Turkey’s influence in Syria as a potential security threat and has sought to create a demilitarized zone through military operations. Turkey, meanwhile, supports a new political project in Syria and seeks deeper political, economic, and military ties with Damascus.”

Gantz suggested that Israel should play an active role in shaping Syria’s postwar landscape, saying: “Reconstruction of Syria and understanding Turkey’s role is vital. We must use Turkey’s NATO membership and Western connections to encourage its participation in rebuilding Syria, steering it toward moderate partners rather than Iran.”

A Turbulent Decade Ahead for Gaza and Postwar Territories

Jewish Insider also reported that Gantz addressed the security situation in Gaza, where Israel still occupies 58 percent of the territory, marked by an initial “yellow withdrawal line.”

Experts told Jewish Insider that this line may become permanent as a “security buffer.”

Gantz said he opposed further settlement construction in Gaza but supported maintaining a security-controlled zone under Israeli authority.

He proposed the establishment of a U.S.-led civilian administration to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction over the next decade.

“There’s a very turbulent decade ahead—a period in which we must remain strong defensively,” he said. “It may take a decade before Gazans can rebuild a livable environment and we can coexist alongside them.”

A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was reached on October 9 through a peace proposal presented by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Following a war that left more than 67,000 people dead in Gaza, Israel agreed to a partial withdrawal, prisoner exchanges, and the resumption of humanitarian aid.

However, in recent days, Israel has violated the ceasefire by launching strikes on over 100 locations in Gaza, killing dozens.

Under Trump’s plan, Gaza’s administration would be handed to a council of independent Palestinian technocrats and a group of foreign leaders, including Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Hamas would have no role in governance, while Israel demands the group’s full disarmament. Hamas has reiterated that the weapons of resistance are “non-negotiable” until an independent Palestinian army is established.

UN-affiliated agencies have confirmed mass starvation and genocide in Gaza in the final weeks of the war, stating that Israel’s violent actions “had no military justification.”

Israel now faces a genocide case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).