Israel would be " completely insane" if it were to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, Mohamed El-Baradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in an interview published by German magazine Der Spiegel Saturday.
"It would be completely insane to attack Iran," the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog organization said. "That would turn the region into one big fireball, and the Iranians would immediately start building the bomb – and they could count on the support of the entire Islamic world."
At the same time, El-Baradei said, "I advise my Iranian negotiating partners: grasp the hand that Obama is extending to you."
When he was asked what he meant by this, he added: "I think 'freeze for freeze' is the next realistic step. The Iranians would install no more centrifuges; the West would forgo further sanction measures. During this time, there would be intensive negotiations."
Barak: Nuclear Iran is Unbearable
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Channel 2's "Meet the Press" weekend show that "Israel is the strongest element in the region, and I do not see anyone daring to try and destroy us." He estimated that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu would demand in his current trip to Washington that America's talks with Iran be "short and to the point."
"Beyond that," he added, "we think that no option should be taken off the table, and we suggest that others act likewise.
"A Middle East with a nuclear Iran is an unbearable thing, and all of the moderate forces in the region understand this," he said. "If Iran has nuclear [weapons], we will not be able to prevent leakage of technology and nuclear materials to terror groups." After talks with Iran are taken to their limit, he said, "We should approach a new and effective sanctions regime. An attack on Iran is not something to talk about. I repeat: all options are on the table and I would rather not add a single word."