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Israel ‘very far off’ from decision to attack Iran
Israel is “very far off” from a decision to attack Iran to stop its nuclear program, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Wednesday.
Speaking on Israel’s Army Radio, Barak said no decision had been made about striking Iran, and added that Israel was coordinating with the United States about how to handle Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
“I don't think our ties with the United States are such that they have no idea what we are talking about,” Barak said, according to Israeli media.
Iran has ratcheted up tensions with the United States in recent weeks as the United States and Europe prepare economic sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program. The United States and allies say Iran is enriching uranium to build weapons, while Iran insists it is doing so for peaceful purposes.
After Iran moved uranium production to an underground facility earlier this month, speculation grew that Israel might strike Iran without U.S. cooperation to stop the country from obtaining a weapon.
The United States has said that Iran obtaining nuclear weapons is a “red line” that it won’t let Iran cross.
Haaretz, an Israeli daily, wrote Wednesday that the Israelis believe Iran has not yet decided whether to use its increasing nuclear capabilities to produce a weapon.
Barak didn’t speculate about what “very far off” meant as to when Israel might decide on an attack.
“I wouldn't want to provide any estimates,” Barak said. “It's certainly not urgent. I don't want to relate to it as though tomorrow it will happen.”
