Netanyahu wants billions for air defense against Iranian cruise missiles

The prime minister calls for billions of shekels for an air defense system to protect against Iranian cruise missiles.

By World Israel News Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for an air defense project estimated to cost billions of shekels at a Security Cabinet meeting on Sunday. The defense system would be designed to counter the threat of Iranian cruise missiles Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan Bet, reports.

The issue of Iran’s cruise missiles, which according to Kan Bet, are similar to U.S. Tomahawks in terms of capability, came to the fore after the attack on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco installation on September 14, temporarily cutting global oil production by five percent.

On Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told Kan Bet that the order to attack Saudi Arabia was personally approved by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Last month, Brig. Gen. Dror Shalom, head of the IDF’s Military Intelligence Research Division, said that Iran would likely use Iraq as a launching pad to send missiles against Israel. He said the attack would resemble the recent attack on the Saudi oil facilities.

According to Kan Bet, economic officials say the cost of the proposed defense project would entail cutting funds to civilian projects and raising taxes. Setting aside the budget for the missile defense will likely wait until a new government is formed.

Iran was at the top of the agenda in Sunday’s Security Cabinet meeting. It was the first time the Security Cabinet met in two months.