Israel Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz has said that Israeli forces are carrying out more special operations beyond the country’s borders and will be ready to attack Iran’s nuclear sites, Gaza and Lebanon, if ordered. However he clarified that it didn’t mean that he will order air strikes on Iran.

In an interview to Israel’s Yediot Aharanot daily, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz said that 2012 would be a critical year in efforts to halt an Iranian nuclear arms program. The army chief also said that in case of a regional war, Israeli military will be able to cope with the rocket threat from Lebanon and from the Gaza Strip.