JERUSALEM — For the first time in nearly two decades of escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, world leaders say they are seriously concerned that an Israeli military attack on the Islamic Republic could be imminent.
Many fear that would trigger war, terrorism and global economic havoc.
High-level foreign dignitaries, including the U.N. chief and the head of the American military, have stopped in Israel in recent weeks and urged its leaders to give the diplomatic process more time.
Israel appears to be unmoved, and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reportedly has concluded that an Israeli attack is likely in a few months.
U.S. President Barack Obama said Sunday he does not think Israel has decided to attack Iran, telling NBC News in an interview that the United States is “going to be sure that we work in lockstep as we proceed to try to solve this — hopefully diplomatically.”
Despite harsh economic sanctions and international pressure, Iran has refused to abandon its nuclear program, which it says is purely for civilian uses.
The impasse is causing jitters in world capitals and financial markets.
“Of course I worry that there will be a military conflict,” Britain’s deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, said in a magazine interview last week. He said Britain was “straining every single sinew to resolve this through a combination of pressure and engagement.”
Is Israel bluffing? Israeli leaders have been claiming since the early 1990s that Iran is trying to develope nuclear weapons, and defense officials have issued a series of ever-changing estimates on how soon Iran would have a bomb.
But, the saber-rattling has become much more direct and vocal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu frequently draws parallels between modern-day Iran and Nazi Germany during the eve of the Holocaust.
Last Thursday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak claimed during a high-profile security conference that there is a “wide global understanding” that military action may be needed.
newhavenregister.com
Many fear that would trigger war, terrorism and global economic havoc.
High-level foreign dignitaries, including the U.N. chief and the head of the American military, have stopped in Israel in recent weeks and urged its leaders to give the diplomatic process more time.
Israel appears to be unmoved, and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reportedly has concluded that an Israeli attack is likely in a few months.
U.S. President Barack Obama said Sunday he does not think Israel has decided to attack Iran, telling NBC News in an interview that the United States is “going to be sure that we work in lockstep as we proceed to try to solve this — hopefully diplomatically.”
Despite harsh economic sanctions and international pressure, Iran has refused to abandon its nuclear program, which it says is purely for civilian uses.
The impasse is causing jitters in world capitals and financial markets.
“Of course I worry that there will be a military conflict,” Britain’s deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, said in a magazine interview last week. He said Britain was “straining every single sinew to resolve this through a combination of pressure and engagement.”
Is Israel bluffing? Israeli leaders have been claiming since the early 1990s that Iran is trying to develope nuclear weapons, and defense officials have issued a series of ever-changing estimates on how soon Iran would have a bomb.
But, the saber-rattling has become much more direct and vocal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu frequently draws parallels between modern-day Iran and Nazi Germany during the eve of the Holocaust.
Last Thursday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak claimed during a high-profile security conference that there is a “wide global understanding” that military action may be needed.
newhavenregister.com
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