During an interview on the 103FM radio program , retired Major General Eliezer Marom (“Chiney”), the former commander of the Israeli Navy, warned that Israel is facing a prolonged security reality vis-à-vis Iran and must prepare for recurring rounds of conflict. According to him, the Middle East has entered a new phase in which diplomatic agreements do not necessarily create stability and may instead lead to escalation.

Marom began by directly addressing the Iranian threat and the implications of the emerging agreements: “We are in a long war against Iran, and Israel needs to prepare every few months for an operation or war against Iran that will last several days or weeks. If the agreement is signed, we need to understand that and prepare for it.”

In the interview, he analyzed the proposed ceasefire agreement and its regional significance for Israel. Marom sharply criticized the political leadership, stating that “The advisory circle around the prime minister does not exist. One person is making the decisions, and even Ron Dermer, who understands America and did good things with this administration, has simply left and gone.”

Referring to Ron Dermer, he added:”They need to call him back up for reserve duty.”

Marom also discussed diplomatic developments concerning Lebanon and argued that Israel must act quickly on that front.

According to him: “President Trump, through what he signed tonight, is approving Iran’s takeover of Lebanon. Do you understand that? He is signing an agreement with the Iranians about Lebanon. Lebanon’s president should be insulted by this. All the leaders in the Middle East who are listening to this, Sisi, Erdoğan, and bin Salman, should understand that this is a bad agreement.”

He suggested what he sees as a preferable diplomatic alternative: “The IDF recommended this beforehand: Let’s move quickly toward a Lebanon agreement, and in the process prevent Iran from becoming Lebanon’s patron. The only diplomatic step that can be taken right now is to reach an understanding with the Lebanese and say that once the Lebanese Army is strong enough, we will return them to southern Lebanon. President Aoun accepts this idea, and we should move in that direction.”

Referring to diplomatic representation in the Lebanon talks, he added: “It cannot be  that we arrive at talks in Washington with two brigadier generals. [and no higher-ranking diplomats]”

When asked what would happen if Iran responded to every Israeli action in Lebanon, Marom, a member of the right-wing Bitchonistim action group, replied bluntly:”Then there will be missiles—so be it. This agreement is bad for us in any case. If they want to return to fighting? I don’t like saying it, but from Israel’s perspective that is a preferable alternative.”

Marom also addressed Iran’s nuclear program and expressed deep skepticism about international arrangements: “There is no reason to believe the Iranians. They still have enriched uranium in Iran, and the inspection mechanism is completely unclear, and that is the cornerstone of any nuclear agreement. How did they suddenly end up with uranium enriched to 60 percent? Isn’t that a violation? It is an absolute violation.”

He continued: “They are highly motivated to obtain nuclear weapons because, despite all their rhetoric, they understand that Israel made a mockery of their air defenses.”

Marom concluded by urging Israel to maintain freedom of action even without American backing: “Israel is not helpless. We do not need the Americans. We managed very well during the Twelve-Day War.”

He said he is not concerned that independent Israeli actions would damage relations with the United States: “Beyond shared values, there are interests. The American interest is for Israel to remain here in the Middle East. There is no country like Israel, and they know that very well.”

“Despite all the unfavorable polls, when you ask an American, he will tell you that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and that he will not allow it to fall. There may be some brakes or restraints, but that’s okay.”

Marom, a decorated former general, is known as “Chiney” due to his Chinese looks, stemming from his Chinese mother Lu Che (Leah), who married his father after he fled Germany in 1935 to the only country where he could get a visa – China. The family immigrated to Israel and Eliezer, the youngest of seven, was born there in 1955.