Israel defense minister – “keep all options on the table”
Washington, 29 July (IranVNC)—Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak met privately with US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at the Pentagon yesterday, where the two agreed on the threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran, and the Israeli defense chief called for tighter sanctions on Tehran.
By: IranVNC
Published: Tuesday, July 29, 2008
12:25GMT—8:25AM/EST
ISRAEL – US – IRAN – NUCLEAR
Washington, 29 July (IranVNC)—Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak met privately with US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at the Pentagon yesterday, where the two agreed on the threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran, and the Israeli defense chief called for tighter sanctions on Tehran.
“Iran’s plans pose a threat to regional and global stability,” Barak told Gates yesterday, in their third meeting over the last year, according to the Israeli news website, YNet News.
His comments reflected those made by Gates in the latest issue of the US Army War College quarterly, Parameters. In his article, Gates describes Iran as a “destabilizing force” in the Middle East that is “hell-bent on acquiring nuclear weapons”.
Barak also insisted on keeping all available options open in dealing with the Iranian nuclear threat. The Jerusalem Post quotes Barak as saying yesterday: “We must continue to stick with a policy that does not take any of the options off the table.”
Secretary Gates made similar comments in his article, writing: “The military option must be kept on the table, given the destabilizing policies of the regime and the risks inherent in a future Iranian nuclear threat.”
But Gates also warned that a war with Iran would be “disastrous” and the “last thing” the U.S. needs. US Admiral Michael Mullen, who was present at yesterday’s meeting, has also said the U.S. should not involve itself in a third conflict.
Barak also called for greater sanctions against the Islamic Republic, which has been hit with three rounds of United Nations Security Council sanctions for its refusal to halt its sensitive uranium enrichment work. The United States and the European Union have passed their own sanctions as well.
“We insist that it is vital to continue tightening the economic and financial sanctions imposed on the Iranians,” YNet News quotes Barak as saying.
Israel and the U.S. suspect Iran is using the cover of a civilian nuclear program to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Iran strongly denies. Both countries have stressed their hope for a diplomatic solution to the nuclear row, but neither side has ruled out a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Barak is expected to meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today, where talks will focus on the peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, as well as on Iran’s nuclear program. He is also scheduled to meet with National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley.
His meeting is the latest in a series of visits by senior Israeli officials to Washington. On Thursday, Israeli transport minister and former defense minister, Shaul Mofaz, will meet Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary Rice for talks on the Iranian nuclear threat, AFP reports. Israeli army chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, met senior US officials last week and said all options “must be prepared” to deal with Iran’s nuclear program.
Sources: YNet News, Jerusalem Post, Agence France-Presse
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