Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday that Iran’s attempt to become a nuclear power is not simply for prestige, and that the its program will be stopped, with or without force.
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In answer to a question as to whether Iran’s increasing nuclear capability is a way to win recognition and prestige, the Prime Minister responded, “I don't subscribe to the view that Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons is a status symbol. It's not. These are people who are sending thousands and thousands of missiles to their terrorist proxies, Hizbullah and Hamas, with the specific instruction to bomb civilians in Israel. They are supporting terrorists in the world. This is not a status symbol.”
He said Iran's acquiring nuclear weapons would give terrorists a “nuclear umbrella.”
Regarding the protests over the presidential elections in Iran, Prime Minister Netanyahu said in the interview, telecast from Jerusalem, “I think it's too early to say what will transpire, both in Iran and on the international scene. As I said, I think something fundamental is taking place here."
He also said that U.S. President Barack Obama agrees with Israel that their joint aim is “to prevent this regime from developing nuclear weapons capability. And he said he'd leave all options on the table, and I'd say if it was right before these demonstrations, well, it’s doubly right now.”
Questioned on plans of Israel to attack Iran if the international community fails to stop unsupervised nuclear development, Prime Minister Netanyahu replied, "It is my view that there is an American commitment to make sure that that doesn't happen, and I think I'd leave it at that…. The Jewish people have been -- is one of the oldest nations in the world. We've been around for 3,500 years. We are threatened as no other people have been threatened…. So, obviously, Israel always reserves the right to defend itself.”