(JNS) “Our security challenges are very great, and at the top of the list is Iran,” said incoming Mossad director David Barnea at his swearing-in ceremony.

“We need to say it loudly and clearly: Iran is working at this very moment to realize its nuclear dream under the cover of international protection,” said Barnea. “Under the protection of the [2015 nuclear] agreement and without it, with lies and concealment, Iran is in a constant state of advancing its plan to create weapons of mass destruction,” he added.

Referring to the fifth round of talks in Vienna between world powers and Iran to negotiate a return to the 2015 deal, he said that the emerging agreement only increased Israel’s “feeling of isolation,” but that Israel reserved its right to freedom of action and would not operate by “majority rule,” as the majority wouldn’t be the ones to pay the price for their mistake.

Barnea promised that the “arm of the Mossad” would continue to operate with full force against the Iranian nuclear program.