Iran is trying to put a “noose of terror” around Israel’s neck, believing that the time is ripe to bring about the demise of the “Zionist entity,” warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking at the start of Sunday’s cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said his government is working tirelessly, “both offensively and defensively,” to thwart the schemes of the ayatollahs.

Earlier in the month a leading Israeli expert on Middle East affairs laid out a doomsday scenario in which Iran assaults the Jewish state from all sides using proxy forces.

Days later, Yaakov Amidror, former head of Israel’s National Security Council, warned in a radio interview that war was looming.

Israel, he stressed, “must prepare for war, and it is possible that Israel will arrive at a juncture whereby it will have to attack Iran without America’s help.”

Over the weekend, Israeli forces again struck Iran-linked military targets in neighboring Syria.

Iran and its allies, like the Hezbollah terrorist militia in Lebanon, believe Israel’s internal political rifts have made her weak and ripe for attack.

But Netanyahu insisted that the widespread unity demonstrated last week on Memorial Day and Independence Day is evidence that despite political differences, every Israeli would fight to defend the nation.

“We have one country, and it is precious and important to all citizens of Israel,” said the prime minister.