U.S. to aid Israeli missile defense system against Iran
Washington, 30 July (IranVNC)—Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said yesterday that the United States will assist the Jewish State in setting up two missile defense systems as precaution against a possible attack from a future nuclear-armed Iran, Reuters reports.
By: IranVNC
Published: Wednesday, July 30, 2008
10:22GMT—6:22AM/EST
ISRAEL – US – IRAN – DEFENSE – MISSILE
Washington, 30 July (IranVNC)—Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said yesterday that the United States will assist the Jewish State in setting up two missile defense systems as precaution against a possible attack from a future nuclear-armed Iran, Reuters reports.
Barak met with Defense Secretary Robert Gates after which he told reporters that the allies were in talks to advance Israel’s Arrow II ballistic shield, but they could not agree on incorporating American interceptor missiles, Reuters reports.
He said Israel and the U.S. “see eye to eye on the need to keep all options on the table…though we may not agree on each and every detail.”
Barak added that understanding between his country and America is important, and “I think that they understand it a lot better after this visit.”
The Pentagon reiterated their position of diplomacy for dealing with Iran yesterday after the meeting with Barak, but affirmed their commitment to Israel’s security.
“I think the Israelis are keenly aware that we believe the best possible avenue of dissuading the Iranians from pursuing nuclear weapons is through economic and political pressures,” said Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary.
“We certainly understand that the Israelis view a nuclear Iran as an existential threat—they have made that abundantly clear to us, to the world, and we are working diligently to prevent that from happening,” he added.
Israel and the U.S. have been united in the campaign to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and each country has claimed that diplomacy is preferred, but military action is still an option.
Despite accusations by the West of pursuing a clandestine weapons program, Iran maintains its uranium enrichment program is rooted in peaceful energy production, but the Islamic Republic has vowed to retaliate against any Israeli attack.
In addition to Barak, the U.S. will continue to host meetings with a myriad of Israeli officials this week, including former defense minister, Shaul Mofaz, and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Last week, top U.S. officials met with Israeli army chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi.
Sources: Reuters, Pentagon website, Agence France-Presse
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