Israel PM plays down call to attack Iran

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-9  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE office of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday distanced itself from a Cabinet minister's claims Israel will have "no choice" but to attack Iran if it doesn't halt its nuclear program.

The furore comes as Iraq yesterday was forced to allay Iran's concerns a proposed US-Iraq security deal would allow Iraq to become a launching pad for a United States attack on Iran.

Israeli Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz set off an international uproar at the weekend by saying in a published interview: "If Iran continues its nuclear arms program - we will attack it." Mofaz is a former military chief and defense minister, and he has been Israel's representative in a "strategic dialogue" on Iran with US officials.

Olmert's spokesman, Mark Regev, did not explicitly reject Mofaz's comments. But he said Olmert clearly stated Israel's policy last week during a trip to Washington when he called for tighter international sanctions, including boycotting Iranian businessmen and financial transactions and blocking the country's imports of refined petroleum. He also warned that a more "effective" solution was drawing closer.

"Every day there is another step in the way we are acting, with US leadership, in order to attain this goal of preventing Iran from arming itself with nuclear weapons," Olmert said.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and designed to produce energy, but Israel believes the country still seeks nuclear weapons. Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has repeatedly said Israel should be "wiped off the map."

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki yesterday sought to ease Iranian fears over a proposed US-Iraq security deal.

An aide to al-Maliki said the prime minister is offering assurances in talks with Ahmadinejad that the US presence in his country is no threat to Iran.

Iran fiercely opposes the agreement, saying it will lead to permanent American bases on its doorstep in Iraq, reflecting Tehran's fears US forces could attack it.