Top > World > 2006 > March > 2006-03-14

Israeli Official: World Should Deal With Iran

A senior Israeli Defense Ministry official said that the United States has until now not done enough to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. But, the official still expressed hope the recent referral of the Iranian issue to the United Nations Security Council would prove to be effective. The official also warns if the diplomatic course failed, Israel, and the U.S. needed to be prepared to take military action against Tehran.

The official said, "America needs to get its act together. Until now, the U.S. administration has just been talking tough. But the time has come for the Americans to begin to take tough action." The official insists Iran was doing all it could to deceive the international community and stall for time, including holding "pointless" talks with Russia concerning the enrichment of its uranium.

He says, "This option may be needed but it should only be used as a last resort." Asked by reporters if Israel had a military plan handy in a desk drawer to strike Iran,senior defense officials added "Israel has many drawers containing everything it needs to defend its citizens."