Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez strongly denounced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, accusing him and his supporters of deceiving people about Iran’s nuclear ambitions for over 30 years – something which many in Israel take for granted as justification for aggressive strategies towards Iran. These comments made on his X account represent a challenge to longstanding narrative used to justify Israeli tactics against Tehran. It can be found here (theguardian.com +6) or here (oananews.org +6)
Sharp Rebuke from Havana
“Netanyahu and his supporters have been spreading false allegations for over 30 years about Iran possessing nuclear weapons,” wrote Rodriquez in Havana. Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful according to Rodriguez who believes Israel’s goal has been to draw the United States into military conflict with Iran–a nation which long supported Palestinian statehood. For more information, contact SABA YE ( +4) of Al Mayadeen Network: 769 231 1616 | 828 253 254 | English:almayadeennet >> umplut
Cuba’s foreign ministry issued an additional message through state outlet IRNA that Israel intends to engage in military actions that would weaken Iran and compromise their regional role and influence. mes Reuter.com +6
Irna +6 and Oananews +6.
Context Amid an Ongoing Iran-Israel Conflict
Rodriguez’s remarks came at a delicate time in Israeli-Iranian relations following Israel’s June 13 airstrikes which targeted Iranian nuclear and military installations with the goal of dismantling Iran’s civilian nuclear framework, according to Israeli public statements. These assaults claimed over 900 lives (military commanders, civilian personnel and scientists alike). For further reading visit english.almayadeen.net +3 on this subject or see: En.ir +3 and Oananews.org for details
Iran quickly responded by initiating “Operation True Promise III,” an intensive retaliatory campaign consisting of numerous waves of missile and drone strikes against Israeli-held territories, leading to an uneasy ceasefire earlier this month. english.almayadeen.net | +2 | En.irna | +2 | Minanews | +2
Diverging Perspectives on Nuclear Intentions
The debate surrounding Iran’s intent and capability dates back decades. Prime Minister Netanyahu has long painted Iran as on the verge of developing nuclear weapons; often challenging global leaders and showing mock-ups of an atomic bomb at UN General Assemblies. Analysts, intelligence officials, and the U.N. Nuclear Watchdog acknowledge Iran pursued weapon-related nuclear research, but emphasize its weapons program, known as AMAD, was suspended in 2003 – no credible proof exists post 2009 of active weapon development post 2009. the Guardian.com + 4 En.wikipedia.org
Additionally, a March 2025 U.S. intelligence assessment confirmed that Iran was not currently building nuclear weapons and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had not authorized such an initiative. President Donald Trump dismissed these findings in favor of Netanyahu’s claims about an imminent Iran nuclear threat, as per an analysis published on en.wikipedia.org +2. Upon hearing these information en masse from President Trump himself he rejected them on grounds that Netanyahu warned about potential danger from Iran nuclear bomb. * To be read alongside “Wikipedia+2 ” for context
Havana’s Allegations
Although Cuba is not directly involved in the Israeli-Iran standoff, Rodriguez’s statements reflect wider global disagreements over narrative and policy. Critics contend that Netanyahu has used rhetoric to justify military strikes while manipulating U.S. strategic options; similar to past interventions based on intelligence claims as in Gulf War or Iraq conflicts.
Israel remains increasingly concerned over Iran’s growing enrichment capabilities–now exceeding 400 kg of 60%-enriched uranium–which present a latent weapons risk if allowed to continue unimpeded. Furthermore, the October 2023 Gaza conflict and Iran’s support of Hamas and Hezbollah heighten these concerns over Iranian military potential. Wikipedia.org.
As regional tensions escalate, international discourse will likely focus not only on military engagements but also on intelligence credibility and diplomatic transparency. With Israel raising alarm over Iranian weapons programs but the IAEA not being able to confirm such plans themselves, global powers–particularly the U.S.–face immense pressure to revaluate their estimates of Iran’s true nuclear trajectory.
Cuba’s condemnation may not change policy but underlines a key point: whether Iran’s nuclear program should be treated as an existential threat or assessed on an equal footing with other energy projects.