Israel Matzav

Meridor, Shalom deny tensions with US over Iran

Both Intelligence Minister Dan Meridor and Deputy Prime Minister Sylvan Shalom attempted to downplay reports of a rift between Israel and the United States over Iran.

Intelligence Agencies Minister Dan Meridor said he does not sense any rupture in Israel's ties with the United States and stressed that it is very important to maintain Washington's support, as well as that of the American public, in an interview with Israel Radio on Monday.

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In his interview, Meridor denounced the public speculation regarding a possible preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities as unnecessary and perhaps even beneficial to the Iranians.

He said further that the international effort against Iran was taking its toll on the Iranians, who may now fear enriching uranium to a higher, bomb-grade level because of the knowledge they will encounter very strong resistance if they cross the line towards acquiring a nuclear bomb.

He concluded by saying that the international community needed to increase the pressure on Iran by strengthening the sanctions against it.

Meanwhile, Vice Premier Silvan Shalom on Monday rejected a report that senior US officials had intimated to Iran that they would not stand by Israel if it were to strike the Islamic Republic.

"The sole disagreement between Israel and the US is in regard to timing," Shalom said in an interview with Army Radio. "The US is obligated to the existential and security interests of Israel. We are much closer than people think."

Let's just say I believe that the descriptions in the media are closer to the truth than what Meridor and Shalom are describing.

Labels: Dan Meridor, Iranian nuclear threat, Sylvan Shalom

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:24 PM