Israel's Military Preps for Iran Deal Fallout

JERUSALEM, Israel -- While Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon welcomed U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter to Israel for talks on the Iranian deal, the IDF released a major restructuring plan to prepare for the deal's consequences.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticized the agreement, saying it puts Israel and the world at risk.

Ya'alon praised the defense secretary's behind-the-scenes contribution to Israel's security, saying he's proven himself "a true friend of the State of Israel."

Earlier, he took Carter to the north for a firsthand look at the challenges created by heavily armed terrorists just across the border.

The reality of dealing with the jihadi ideology of groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and now ISIS requires wise, responsible, and sober responses, Ya'alon said.

And the $150 billion in sanctions relief will undoubtedly undergird terror groups armed and trained by Iran.

The Gideon Plan

On the same day the two defense chiefs met, the IDF launched the Gideon Plan, a major restructuring of the nation's defense forces that's been in the planning stages for four years.

The release coincided with a defense budget review by the Locker Commission, expected to include a recommendation to reduce the IDF by one-third, ostensibly creating a leaner, more efficient force.

The cutbacks include eliminating 100,000 reservists, 5,000 officers and reducing reserve battalions and artillery-support units.

One reserve officer told CBN News the approach of the Locker Commission report and the Gideon Plan reflect a narrow view of what the IDF's importance and role in society are.

"The IDF is not just about defending the country against our enemies but also has an important role as educator, social cohesion provider, 'feeder' of the economy and as possibly the only public body that enjoys a wide consensus in Israeli society," he said. "It's important that the IDF continuously strives to be more efficient, but these aspects should always be kept in mind."

The sanctions relief will undoubtedly affect Israel's strategic defense.

"There's no doubt lifting the sanctions will enable Iran to activate its influence in the region in a discernible and significant manner, more so than today," one army official told the Jerusalem Post.

He said under the Gideon Plan, Israel's smaller military will be "better trained, equipped and ready for war."

The plan also cuts pensions and components not related to combat, instead investing the reduced budget to train fewer officers and career military personnel.

US, Israel Alliance 'Never Stronger'

Carter, meanwhile, said Israel has no better friend than the United States and the Iranian deal did not alter the Defense Department's "rock solid" commitment to Israel's security, saying "the alliance has never been stronger."

"Israel is a cornerstone for our strategy in the Middle East, and its security and qualitative military edge are top priority for America, for our military, and for me personally," Carter said.

"That is especially true when it comes to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, which the deal reached in Vienna last week, which is a good deal, is designed to do," he continued.

"Friends can disagree about whether it will work and we will be watching Iran very closely to see, but there is no disagreement about the ultimate objective, we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon," Carter concluded.