With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu moving to dissolve Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, in anticipation of early elections, Defense Minister Ehud Barak is looking to reassure hawkish would-be voters that the move won’t get in the way of a potential attack on Iran.

 

“Elections will not affect deliberations of the professional echelon in everything regarding the Iranian issue,” Barak insisted in his statement, saying that a military attack remains “on the table” and could happen at any time.

The prospects of war have been seen slimming recently, as a number of former Israeli security officials have voiced public displeasure with the rush to attack, and as the P5+1 continues to make progress in negotiations with Iran. Even Israel’s army chief conceded late last month that Iran isn’t likely to ever try to make nuclear weapons.