[Close Confidante of Netanyahu Warns "It's now or never" for military strike on Iran: Analysis by Joel C. Rosenberg Washington, D.C.] "Tzachi Hanegbi, a close, trusted, long-time personal friend and confidante of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made remarks on Tuesday at a security conference in Tel Aviv that did not make news in the U.S. But they should have.

Hanegbi explained that the time for sanctions, diplomacy and covert options to neutralize the Iranian threat is over, and the time for Israel to use its military option has come.

"It's now or never," said Hanegbi, "and the option of never does not exist."

Hanegbi formerly served as the Minister of Intelligence and as Justice Minister in previous governments. He is currently a Member of Knesset (Likud).

"Israel has to act according to its own imperatives," he said.

Given how close Hanegbi and Netanyahu are -- and given how sensitive the current moment is -- it is difficult to believe Hanegbi spoke without knowing the Prime Minister’s mind, and without having his blessing to make such ominous remarks.

I, for one, am praying for peace. I don't want to see another war in the Middle East. I'm asking the Lord to bring down the regime in Tehran, and sabotage their nuclear weapons projects, and keep Tehran from going to far. But even as I pray for peace, I know Israel is preparing for war.

Consider other indicators that an Israeli first strike may be increasingly close at hand..." Full text: Close Confidante of Netanyahu Warns "It's now or never" for military strike on Iran

Close Confidante of Netanyahu Warns "It's now or never" for military strike on Iran