the regime in Iran has posed one of the biggest security threats to the Middle East and beyond. During a conversation with Times of Suriname he accused Teheran of systematically destabilizing the region. Ambassador Cohen pointed out that for nearly half a century the Iranian leadership has been openly calling for the destruction of Israel. He also claimed that Iran resorted Tina strategy aimed at strengthening its military, nuclear ambitions and supporting armed groups.

“For years the leaders of Iran have made it clear that their goal is to destroy Israel. When a regime make such statements while developing nuclear technology and long range Rockets, the international community must take it seriously,” said Ambassador Cohen who added that Iran has a huge stockpile of ballistic rockets with a huge range. Those weapons not only pose a threat to Israel but to multiple countries in the region as well. Ambassador Cohen also pointed out that Israeli and American analysis indicate that Iran has been developing its nuclear capacities for years. He also claimed that Iran supports extremist organizations worldwide. Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad receive military and logistical support from Teheran. “Iran is the biggest exporter of terrorism in the world. The regime finances, arms and trains various extremist organizations in the Middle East and outside the Middle East,” said Ambassador Cohen who made it clear that his criticism is aimed at the Iranian government and not the citizens of that country. Ambassador Cohen also claimed that there is much dissastisfaction regarding the regime within Iran. He mentioned protests which according to international reports left thousands of citizens dead. “The regime has no problem with persecuting its own people. That says a lot about how far it is willing to go. Israel and the United States of America therefore decided to take firmer action against the Iranian threat. Keeping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon is an absolute priority. When Iran has a nuclear weapon, the entire planet is in danger. That is a scenario that we deem unacceptable.”