Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., February 15, 2009 Shvat 21, 5769 | | Israel Time: 20:25 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 13:24 04/02/2009
Barak: World should toughen sanctions on Iran in light of satellite launch
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Herzliya Conference 

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Wednesday that Tuesday's launch of an Iranian satellite was further indication the international community should tighten sanctions on the Islamic republic.

He said that the launch is an "Iranian technological feat and a proof of [the country's] intelligence and military capabilities."

On Tuesday, Barak said that diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to abandon its nuclear program must be accompanied by a clear deadline, after which harsh sanctions could be imposed.
Advertisement
Barak told an international conference in Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv, that all options regarding Iran were on the table. "Beyond that I will say nothing," he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iran said the launch of the Omid (Hope) research and telecom satellite was a major step in its space technology timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the U.S.-backed shah.

The long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit could also be used for launching warheads, although Iran says it has no plans to do so.

Israel regards Iran as its biggest threat, given Tehran's nuclear program and repeated statements by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other Iranian leaders that the state should be erased off the map.

Israeli officials also see Iran as being the prime sponsor of Islamic fundamentalist organizations dedicated to destroying Israel, such as the Lebanese Hezbollah movement and Palestinian groups such as the Islamic Jihad and Hamas.

After Iran's launch, western powers voiced concern that the satellite could be used to launch warheads.

"It is certainly a reason for us to be concerned about Iran and its continued attempts to develop a ballistic missile program of increasingly long range," U.S. Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters.

British Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell said it "underlines and illustrates our serious concerns about Iran's intentions," adding it sent the "wrong signal to the international community."

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said his nation is "worried that there is ... the development of capacities that can be used in the ballistic framework."

Related articles:
  • U.S. urges Iran to become 'productive' member of world
  • Iranian satellite launch raises Western concern of possible military use
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    A scared Arab in Israel
    Sayed Kashua reflects on 'no loyalty, no citizenship'.
    Aid convoy
    Report: Nine arrested in England by terror police en route to Gaza.
      1.   Israel Should Destroy Omid 12:35  |  Khaled 04/02/09
      2.   israel plans 12:47  |  chicago 04/02/09
      3.   signals of Iran strike in 2009 13:02  |  soruklu 04/02/09
      4.   and also.. 13:11  |  Stem Cell 04/02/09
      5.   signals of Iran strike in 2009 13:12  |  soruklu 04/02/09
      6.   Whats wrong with Iran launching sattelites? 13:20  |  GalileeHero 04/02/09
      7.   Why? 13:38  |  Maria 04/02/09
      8.   For GalileeHero # 6 14:50  |  Clickfool 04/02/09
      9.   Sanction Israel for failing to end settlement expansion instead 16:07  |  John 04/02/09
      10.   I Can See Why Barak. 16:19  |  Cool B 04/02/09
      11.   medieval iran 17:26  |  matt 04/02/09
      12.   Iran has every right to have WMD 21:46  |  Marcelo 04/02/09
      13.   Iran satelite launch. 22:29  |  Macclancy 04/02/09
      14.   Difference between Iran and Israel 15:28  |  American in NY 05/02/09
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    Israel 2009 election results: Voter breakdown
    Israel goes to the polls
    Conflict in Gaza
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    More Headlines
    18:16 Livni, Barak, Olmert working on proposal for Shalit-Gaza deal
    18:42 Hamas demands release of terror masterminds for Shalit
    17:41 Livni hints she'll reject offer to join Netanyahu government
    14:16 Dichter: Israel must take military action against Gaza arms smuggling
    17:25 GIDEON LEVY / Israel should forget about bombing Iran
    18:59 UAE denies Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer visa for tournament
    20:17 Rosh-Ha'ayin police arrest man in Spiderman costume harassing commuters
    20:00 Russia foreign minister: Moscow planning 2009 Mideast peace conference
    17:19 Exposed: Tel Aviv man has 32 women and 89 children
    08:32 U.S. fends off Israeli pressure, decides to help plan 'Durban 2'
    13:16 Slow Obama stance on Iran nukes worries Israel
    11:45 IDF probe: Cannot defend destruction of Gaza homes
    16:51 Palestinian civil servants in West Bank strike to protest unpaid wages
    16:59 Olmert confirms Pope Benedict to visit Israel in May
    15:51 State Prosecution rejects Talansky request to testify behind closed doors
    15:42 Peretz calls on Labor leaders to convene urgent member meeting
    08:40 ANALYSIS / Olmert denial of Hamas talks is almost comical
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Spring Specials-Dan Hotels
    Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Passover Vacations
    The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
    Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved