Israel Matzav

Indyk: Sabotage efforts in Iran successful

Former US ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk has told Israel Radio that the efforts to sabotage Iran's nuclear program have been successful and should be continued in order to avoid the need to act militarily against Iran's nuclear program.

The full interview with Indyk is on Israel Radio's 7:00 - 8:00 pm hour and I will try to have something about it for you later tonight (very busy tonight).

Earlier, Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that sanctions are welcome but will not stop Iran.

Israel retains the option to use military force to stop Iran's nuclear program but a strike is not imminent, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Thursday while downplaying the consequences of an Iranian retaliation to such an attack.

"We have no intention, at the moment, of taking action, but Israel is far from being paralyzed by fear," Barak told Israel Radio. "It must act calmly and quietly - we don't need big wars."

...

Barak said that while he respects the US and believes that Washington is committed to Israel's security and regional qualitative military edge, Israel would ultimately need to act according to its own interests. While he hoped sanctions and diplomacy would succeed in stopping Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon, "unfortunately, I think that is not going to happen."

"We need to remember that ultimately, Israel is a sovereign state and the government and defense establishment, and not one else, are responsible for Israel's security and future," Barak said.

Barak said that Israel was not searching for a war but that it might need "to stand the test."

Asked about the recent two mysterious explosions that have struck Iran - one in a missile base near Tehran and the other in the uranium conversion facility in Isfahan - Barak said that all delays to Iran's program were welcome.

Yes, sanctions and sabotage are very nice but they're just postponing the inevitable.

Labels: Ehud Barak, Iranian nuclear threat, Martin Indyk

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:29 PM