US Deputy Military Chief in “Secret Visit” to Zionist Entity

The Vice Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral James Winnefeld, is on a secret visit to the Zionist entity, "Israel's" army radio reported on Thursday.

According to the source, the "Israeli" military itself said Winnefeld was in the country at the invitation of his counterpart, Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Yair Naveh, and was scheduled to leave later during the day.

Army radio said the visit had been kept under wraps because of political sensitivities between "Israel" and Washington over how to handle the threats launched against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Next week, another senior US military official is due in the Zionist entity, the Ynet news website reported.

Lieutenant General Craig Franklin, currently the commander of the US Third Air Force, is to visit ahead of a joint military drill between the two armies which is due to take place next month, Ynet said.

Tel Aviv constantly threatens Iran with a military strike, claiming that Tehran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program. Iranian officials have promised a crushing response to any military strike against the Islamic Republic, warning such an attack could result in a war that would spread beyond the Middle East.

Iran reasons that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology meant for peaceful purposes.

On February 22, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Islamic Republic considers the pursuit and possession of nuclear weapons "a grave sin" from every logical, religious and theoretical standpoint.

Despite US and "Israeli" allegations that Iran seeks nuclear arms, Tehran has reiterated over and over that it is a signatory to the nuclear Non-proliferation treaty, and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency it has the right to pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Source: AFP, edited by moqawama.org