|
|
Translate:
              Strike on Iran still possible, U.S. tells Israel
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008
LA Times | WASHINGTON — Bush administration officials reassured Israel’s defense minister this week that the United States has not abandoned all possibility of a military attack on Iran, despite widespread Israeli concern that Washington has begun softening its position toward Tehran. In meetings Monday and Tuesday, administration officials told Defense Minister Ehud Barak that the option of attacking Iran over its nuclear program remains on the table, though U.S. officials are primarily seeking a diplomatic solution. At the same time, U.S. officials acknowledged that there is a rare divergence in the U.S. and Israeli approaches, with Israelis emphasizing the possibility of a military response out of concern that Tehran may soon have the know-how for building a nuclear bomb. “Is there a difference of emphasis? It certainly looks as though there is,” said a senior American Defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity when discussing the sensitive talks. U.S. and Israeli officials believe Iran is enriching uranium with the aim of building nuclear weapons. Tehran says that it is engaged in a peaceful enrichment program for civilian energy purposes. Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said in an interview that U.S. officials have often made it clear to Israeli officials that Washington prefers to try to mitigate the threat from Tehran by applying economic pressure. “The military option, although always available, is not our preferred route,” Morrell said. “We have made that point clear to them and the world in our public statements and private meetings.” Barak left Israel for Washington amid reports in the Israeli press that he would try to talk the Bush administration out of what many Israelis perceive as a more conciliatory policy toward Iran. On Tuesday, the Israeli Defense Ministry released a statement saying that Barak had told Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates that “a policy that consists of keeping all options on the table must be maintained.” Speaking to reporters in Washington, Barak said that there remains time for “accelerated sanctions” to try to persuade Iran to abandon the nuclear program. Israeli officials were concerned in December when a key U.S. intelligence report concluded that Iran had abandoned an effort to build a nuclear bomb. They also have noted with concern comments this month by Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that an Israeli airstrike on Iran would further destabilize the Middle East and compound the strain on overworked U.S. forces. Also this month, in a rare move toward engagement with Tehran, a senior U.S. diplomat took part in international talks in Geneva about the nuclear program. And U.S. officials have floated a proposal for opening a low-level diplomatic office in Tehran. These gestures have taken place at a time of intensifying discussion in Israel about the wisdom of an Israeli military attack on Iran before the Bush administration leaves office. A senior State Department official said Tuesday that Israel “is a sovereign state and we understand that they view this as an existential threat. And we take the threat that’s posed by Iran seriously as well.” But the official, who asked to remain unidentified in keeping with diplomatic rules, said the administration is “pursuing the strategy we believe is the right one.” Gates, in an hourlong meeting with Barak, told the minister that the United States intends to consider providing radar to Israel that can detect ballistic missiles launched from Iran and supplying weapons to counter rocket attacks from Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, according to a senior Defense official. Have Your Say: Strike on Iran still possible, U.S. tells Israel Please read our posting guidelines before posting. Alternatively you can discuss this report here. Related News
|
Hey Ashley! Last post by paul w @ 06:02 AM Go to Forum
| Latest Topics
Heisman, BCS on line when Sooners meet Red Raiders Last post by Knight of the Word @ 04:45 AM As 'new World Order' Shapes Up, Fear Is That An Anti-christ Spirit Will Control It Last post by Knight of the Word @ 04:21 AM Meditation May Protect Your Brain Last post by ZingPao @ 02:51 AM 911; Inside Job Or Not Last post by ZingPao @ 02:46 AM More Cooking Last post by ZingPao @ 01:02 AM Vancouver's Radical Approach to Drugs: Let Junkies Be Junkies Last post by ZingPao @ 12:23 AM GM says board doesn't see bankruptcy as option Last post by ZingPao @ 12:08 AM Walnut Trees Emit Aspirin-Like Chemical to Deal With Stress Last post by Nostalgia @ 11:55 PM Gore on Obama: 'Redeems the Revolutionary Promise of Our Declaration of Independence' Last post by ZingPao @ 11:49 PM  Email This Page To A Friend Latest Headlines
More World News  Archive
|
The views expressed in the RINF news wire and newsletter are the sole responsibility of the author (s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the webmaster. RINF.COM: Breaking News & Alternative Media is Copyleft - Copy & Distribute Freely. News Forum |
Loading ...
