Military action against Iran on the cards: Israel

Israel on Tuesday said that military action against Iran is on the cards to foil its nuclear ambitions.

"Iran must understand that the threat of military action exists, and it won't be taken off the table. Perhaps the clearer that point is made, the chance it will indeed be used will grow smaller, but it must remain on the table," Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told the influential Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Livni is a frontrunner in the ruling Kadima party to replace Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is being investigated on alleged charges of bribe taking.

Officiating as acting Prime Minister while Olmert isin Washington for three days, the foreign minister warned that a decision needs to be taken soon on the issue, which Israel has branded as a threat to its existence.

"Time is of the essence. Weakness can be interpreted as acceptance. We are making it clear to the officials we come into contact with that in this region you either go up against the neighbourhood bully or you join him, and the world will be judged on its actions," she said.

Israel has so far maintained that Iran's nuclear programme is a threat to the international community and it will try to resolve it through diplomatic efforts.

"We've made it clear that D-Day isn't the day they procure the bomb or have the technology, but now. Inability or hesitation to act against Iran creates an image of weakness within Iran," the foreign minister said detailing diplomatic efforts to muster worldwide support.
www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200806032221.htm

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Last updated 05/06/2008

Homepage