Israeli strategists believe that Iran’s nuclear potential is a real threat and have not ruled out the possibility of taking military action.
"Israel and other countries cannot accept a situation where Iran has nuclear arms. The issue is clear to us, and we are making all the necessary preparations to handle a situation of this kind," the Prime Minister stated Thursday.
"The danger does not only affect Israel, but also Middle Eastern countries and many other countries around the world. Therefore the recent efforts led by the US must include free countries that understand this grave danger," Sharon said.
While Sharon maintained that a U.S.-led coalition has the military capabilities to combat Iran, he added, "Before anyone decides on a military step, every effort would be made to pressure Iran to halt this activity. It seems to me such efforts can be fruitful." Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz also advocated the pursuit of diplomacy with Iran in a Thursday interview with Israel Radio.
IDF Intelligence Chief Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash suggested Wednesday that Israel might be forced to consider using military tactics to bring an end to the Iranian nuclear program. "If by the end of March, 2006 the international community will have failed to halt Iran's nuclear weapons program, diplomatic efforts will be pointless. Iran has the upper hand in negotiations with the international community,” explained Farkash.
Following Farkash's assessments, Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuval Shteinitz asserted, "The comments by the head of Military Intelligence convey a harsh, worrying and dark picture. Iran is going to become a nuclear power in the region and the world is helpless."
According to Shteinitz, Iran’s nuclear capabilities are rapidly advancing. He cited Iran’s production of 45 tons of UF-6 gas used in the centrifuge process for producing enriched uranium for nuclear weapons. "In my years here, seeing the data I have seen, I feel it is clear that Iran has passed the point of no return. It is accurate to say that unless Iran encounters a major interference, it will have a functioning nuclear arsenal within one or two years," Shteinitz said.
According to reports from IRNA, Iran's state news agency, Ahmadinejad maintains Iran’s right to continue to advance its nuclear program and believes that ultimately pressure from the West will not impede Iranian nuclear development. "We sent the message to Westerners that we would stand firm to the end, and that we would never abandon our right, and when they realized [Iran] is firm in its stands, they backed off," Ahmadinejad said.
Intelligence Chief Farkash believes that the recent escalation along Israel’s northern front was instigated by Iran in an effort to shift international focus away from its nuclear development. "The latest flare-up in the north was a strategic plan by Hizbullah. They hoped we would retaliate by firing rockets and hitting civilians. We have seen evidence of them preparing for this type of attack along the border," Farkash said.
Sharon called for international pressure to be applied to put an end to ongoing Syrian and Iranian support of the Hizbullah. “In the wake of recent activity in the north I sent letters to the leaders of central European nations and the U.S. It is imperative that Hizbullah not deploy troops along the border. I demanded that pressure be applied to disarm the Hizbaullah and bring an end to Syrian and Iranian assistance to the Hizbullah,” Sharon stated.
"Israel and other countries cannot accept a situation where Iran has nuclear arms. The issue is clear to us, and we are making all the necessary preparations to handle a situation of this kind," the Prime Minister stated Thursday.
"The danger does not only affect Israel, but also Middle Eastern countries and many other countries around the world. Therefore the recent efforts led by the US must include free countries that understand this grave danger," Sharon said.
While Sharon maintained that a U.S.-led coalition has the military capabilities to combat Iran, he added, "Before anyone decides on a military step, every effort would be made to pressure Iran to halt this activity. It seems to me such efforts can be fruitful." Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz also advocated the pursuit of diplomacy with Iran in a Thursday interview with Israel Radio.
IDF Intelligence Chief Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash suggested Wednesday that Israel might be forced to consider using military tactics to bring an end to the Iranian nuclear program. "If by the end of March, 2006 the international community will have failed to halt Iran's nuclear weapons program, diplomatic efforts will be pointless. Iran has the upper hand in negotiations with the international community,” explained Farkash.
Following Farkash's assessments, Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuval Shteinitz asserted, "The comments by the head of Military Intelligence convey a harsh, worrying and dark picture. Iran is going to become a nuclear power in the region and the world is helpless."
According to Shteinitz, Iran’s nuclear capabilities are rapidly advancing. He cited Iran’s production of 45 tons of UF-6 gas used in the centrifuge process for producing enriched uranium for nuclear weapons. "In my years here, seeing the data I have seen, I feel it is clear that Iran has passed the point of no return. It is accurate to say that unless Iran encounters a major interference, it will have a functioning nuclear arsenal within one or two years," Shteinitz said.
According to reports from IRNA, Iran's state news agency, Ahmadinejad maintains Iran’s right to continue to advance its nuclear program and believes that ultimately pressure from the West will not impede Iranian nuclear development. "We sent the message to Westerners that we would stand firm to the end, and that we would never abandon our right, and when they realized [Iran] is firm in its stands, they backed off," Ahmadinejad said.
Intelligence Chief Farkash believes that the recent escalation along Israel’s northern front was instigated by Iran in an effort to shift international focus away from its nuclear development. "The latest flare-up in the north was a strategic plan by Hizbullah. They hoped we would retaliate by firing rockets and hitting civilians. We have seen evidence of them preparing for this type of attack along the border," Farkash said.
Sharon called for international pressure to be applied to put an end to ongoing Syrian and Iranian support of the Hizbullah. “In the wake of recent activity in the north I sent letters to the leaders of central European nations and the U.S. It is imperative that Hizbullah not deploy troops along the border. I demanded that pressure be applied to disarm the Hizbaullah and bring an end to Syrian and Iranian assistance to the Hizbullah,” Sharon stated.