The American message to Israel in talks about Iran's nuclear program by visiting officials this week was to "lower its profile" and refrain from "ranting and raving" in public until the international evaluation on the program takes place at the end of September, according to a senior source in Jerusalem quoted by Haaretz on Friday. The message was part of briefings on the administration's ideas for intensifying sanctions against the Tehran government if it fails to respond to President Barack Obama's offer of dialogue.
U.S. National Security Advisor James Jones, who in Israel now, indicated that Tehran has until the UN General Assembly meeting to respond. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates delivered a similar message during his visit here earlier this week.
China, which has numerous interests in Iran, objects to further sanctions. Jones told the Israelis that Obama will therefore go to China soon to try to enlist Beijing to join the coalition. The Americans are also discussing this issue with Russia, which at this stage objects to further sanctions, having built the Iranian nuclear reactor at Bushehr.