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Last update - 22:51 07/07/2009
Obama: U.S. did not give Israel green light to attack Iran
By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondent and News Agencies
Tags: Obama, Israel news, Russia 

U.S. President Barack Obama earlier Tuesday rebuffed suggestions that Washington had given Israel a green light to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, in an interview with CNN.

Asked by CNN whether Washington had given Israel approval to strike Iran's nuclear facilities, Obama answered: "Absolutely not."

"We have said directly to the Israelis that it is important to try and resolve this in an international setting in a way that does not create major conflict in the Middle East," Obama said in reference to Iran's contentious nuclear program.
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In the interview broadcast from Russia where he is on an official visit, Obama added, however: "We can't dictate to other countries what their security interests are.

"What is also true is, it is the policy of the United States to try to resolve the issue of Iran's nuclear capabilities," Obama said.

This would be achieved "through diplomatic channels," he added.

Sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told The Washington Times that the premier is hesitant to request formal U.S. approval to launch military operations against Iran for fear that Washington would turn him down, according to a report which appeared in Tuesday editions.

The sources said the Israeli leader feels there is no point in seeking American acquiescence at this stage givenObama's stated intention to pursue a policy of diplomatic engagement with the Tehran regime, The Washington Times reported.

"There was a decision not to press [for U.S. approval of a strike] because it was probably inadequate for the engagement policy and what we know about Obama's approach to Iran," a senior Israeli official told The Washington Times.

Discussion over authorization for such a strike arose after Vice President Joe Biden told ABC news earlier this week that the U.S. would not stand in the way of an Israeli attack on Iran.

"Israel can determine for itself - it's a sovereign nation - what's in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else," Biden said.

U.S.: Iran strike should be avoided if possible

The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Tuesday that a preemptive military strike against Iran should be avoided "if possible," but emphasized that all options are still on the table.

"I worry about a nuclear arms race in the Middle East region; I don't think any one of us can afford it," said Admiral Michael Mullen, during a conference at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "I don't see a lot of space between where Iran is headed and the potential of where that development might lead. All options are certainly on a table, including certainly military options."

My concern is that the clock continues ticking," Mullen said. "I believe that Iran is very much focused on getting that capability. This a very narrow space we have towards that objective."

Nevertheless, Mullen added, a preemptive strike is "really not a place we should go if possible."

Israel's vulnerability to the Iranian threat is of ultimate concern to the United States, Mullen said. "The Israelis see that Iran achieving a nuclear capability as an existential threat. What's very important is to understand the word existential," he said.

"Israel is a sovereign country, but it's an essential part of this discussion," Mullen added. "Our political leadership is committed to the dialogue, and I'm hopeful that dialogue is productive - I'm really worried if it's not."

Obama: Russia must help end Iran threat

Obama, on a visit to Moscow on Tuesday, called for the United States and Russia to overcome Cold War mistrust and forge a true global partnership, saying that the U.S. wouldn't need to deploy a missile defense system in Europe, a move Russia opposes, if Russia helped to bring the Iranian nuclear threat to an end.

"If the threat from Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program is eliminated, the driving force for missile defense in Europe will be eliminated," Obama said in remarks prepared for delivery to graduates from Moscow's New Economic School.

"America wants a strong, peaceful and prosperous Russia," Obama said. "On the fundamental issues that will shape this century, Americans and Russians share common interests that form a basis for cooperation," the U.S. President went on to say.


Obama also laid out a vision for the graduates of the sort of world he believed they should pursue.

"The future does not belong to those who gather armies on a field of battle or bury missiles in the ground," he told his audience. "The future belongs to young people with the education and imagination to create."

But he also told the Russian students that success in the 21st century depended on economies that functioned within the rule of law.

"People everywhere should have the right to do business or get an education without paying a bribe," he said, in an apparent reference to the corruption which even President Medvedev says blights Russian society.

Obama was careful in his remarks not to criticize the Kremlin leadership directly and he repeatedly said that the United States did not seek to impose any system of government on another country.

But his message that "governments which serve their own people survive and thrive; governments which serve only their own power do not" is likely to resonate with Russia's embattled pro-Western opposition, which criticizes the Kremlin for suppressing democracy.

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      1.   Obama: We must have an end to the space monkey threat 13:46  |  Natallie Durson 07/07/09
      2.   the achievemnt of Obama 13:48  |  ky 07/07/09
      3.   To Natalie 14:30  |  Sarah and Mark 07/07/09
      4.   Obama and Michael Jackson Achievement 14:38  |  Yaakov 07/07/09
      5.   To Natalie Part 2 14:42  |  Sarah and Mark 07/07/09
      6.   To Natalie Part 3 15:07  |  Sarah and Mark 07/07/09
      7.   Sarah and Mark 15:12  |  Natallie Durson 07/07/09
      8.   to sarah & mark 15:17  |  Matt 07/07/09
      9.   Sarah and Mark - ummm I have had a change of heart 15:34  |  Natallie Durson 07/07/09
      10.   all is well 15:53  |  Philip 07/07/09
      11.   Mr.Obama, the gracious president. 15:54  |  Stephen. 07/07/09
      12.   Obama should get rid of Drunk-o-Biden 16:27  |  Jim 07/07/09
      13.   Selective involvement 16:36  |  Christopher 07/07/09
      14.   Israel has a difficult time existing without war 17:00  |  Ibrahim 07/07/09
      15.   Obama thinks the best offence is an untested defence 17:11  |  Morris Valentine 07/07/09
      16.   what a Hypocrisy 17:17  |  samer-Palestinian 07/07/09
      17.   No Right To Dictate Israel`s Security Interests Either 17:17  |  Dallas 07/07/09
      18.   Selective Involvement 17:28  |  Dr. Abe Simhony 07/07/09
      19.   sarah & mark - you speak for many in this! 17:51  |  michelle 07/07/09
      20.   That needed clarification 17:52  |  American 07/07/09
      21.   Natalie and S&M 18:17  |  G 07/07/09
      22.   Morris Valentine # 15 Obama thinks about what is best for America 18:22  |  American in NY 07/07/09
      23.   Natallie`s posts are wonderful 18:22  |  Miggy 07/07/09
      24.   USA and Israel 18:37  |  Rigoletto 07/07/09
      25.   The US is gearing up for the confrontation 18:50  |  Jason 07/07/09
      26.   Gotcha 18:56  |  Witness 07/07/09
      27.   obama 19:03  |  patriot 07/07/09
      28.   #3 Sarah & Mark--thank you--you just gave Natalie 19:25  |  Labhras 07/07/09
      29.   To AiNY, with a clarification (#22) 19:31  |  Morris Valentine 07/07/09
      30.   You dont speak for the world Morris --your empire days are over 19:39  |  Labhras 07/07/09
      31.   #22 American in NY on mr. Valentine 19:49  |  Mark B. 07/07/09
      32.   It is ridiculous this discussion about to attack or not Iran 19:58  |  kaled 07/07/09
      33.   #29 Morris no thank you--not we Europeans 20:19  |  Labhras 07/07/09
      34.   US "green" light 20:19  |  Alain 07/07/09
      35.   Sighs of relief all round in Israel 20:24  |  Chris Linthwaite 07/07/09
      36.   Sarah and Mark--why dont you ask Jeff Northridge for his credenti 20:33  |  Labhras 07/07/09
      37.   Alain....Mis-information and conflation... 20:35  |  CJ 07/07/09
      38.   Obama 20:41  |  jhon 07/07/09
      39.   War Drums on the Right - Taps from Uncle Sam 20:41  |  Mark Lincoln 07/07/09
      40.   Between Self-Defense and Fanatics` Mushroom Cloud 20:51  |  Brod 07/07/09
      41.   Go Natalie! 21:01  |  Pal 07/07/09
      42.   No War 21:35  |  John Matrix 07/07/09
      43.   No green light but no red light either 21:37  |  Yonatan 07/07/09
      44.   Labhras - What are your cvredentials? 21:46  |  Yonatan 07/07/09
      45.   Natallie Durson`s real name (answering Sarah and Mark) 21:57  |  Javad 07/07/09
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      47.   #17 Dallas, The more I analyse and see what Obama is doing 22:18  |  Can. Israeli Friend 07/07/09
      48.   Sarah and Mark, Nat 22:28  |  Marc 07/07/09
      49.   To Labhras, Mark B, and fellow-travelling Euros 22:31  |  Morris Valentine 07/07/09
      50.   President Obama, please address the treat posed by Israel`s nukes 22:35  |  Hanna 07/07/09
      51.   Obama`s conceeds that Russia will dominate mideast 23:01  |  Voice of Reason 07/07/09
      52.   Uh, Hanna #42, About Your Post... 23:07  |  Heather Czerniak 07/07/09
      53.   thoughts 00:04  |  c.schmidt 08/07/09
      54.   Hanna, Let Me Make The Point Clea 00:15  |  Brad 08/07/09
      55.   To CJK (#41) re divisions 00:17  |  Morris Valentine 08/07/09
      56.   Obama: not green light, not red light, its amber 00:20  |  Brad 08/07/09
      57.   25 Jason - Are You a Kid or Anti-American? 00:27  |  Mark of Lewiston 08/07/09
      58.   thoughts 00:33  |  c.schmidt 08/07/09
      59.   Not Really Cipora 02:11  |  Mark of Lewiston 08/07/09
      60.   Reign in your vice president Obama 02:24  |  Marc Leb 08/07/09
      61.   we love your posts Natalie 02:26  |  malek 08/07/09
      62.   Iran Protests about Human Shields, Biden `Gaffe` to raise issue 02:33  |  Shaul Ben-Yimini 08/07/09
      63.   Israel Can Hit Anyone It Wants, Anywhere It Wants 02:52  |  UsedToPostHere 08/07/09
      64.   To Sarah and Mark 03:05  |  Fortuna Benmayor 08/07/09
      65.   This Woman is Sick of You MEN MAKING WAR, Killing Babies 03:20  |  Alaska 08/07/09
      66.   Agreements have been signed by Russia and America... 03:23  |  Maureen Ann 08/07/09
      67.   Morrsi # 31 America is not obligated to Israel 03:23  |  American in NY 08/07/09
      68.   Sarah & Mark...spot on about Nutalie 03:24  |  E 08/07/09
      69.   Alain please pay your own piper 03:26  |  American in NY 08/07/09
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      72.   after the non election in Iran-the Supreme Leader,the Ayatollah 05:35  |  feige 08/07/09
      73.   #32 kaled,Iran is not a threat to global security?Iran has sattel 05:51  |  feige 08/07/09
      74.   No `division` Cipora 06:02  |  Mark Lincoln 08/07/09
      75.   Jason, I realize that Geography and reality 06:07  |  Mark Lincoln 08/07/09
      76.   For Mark Lincoln # 56 07:21  |  Fortuna Benmayor 08/07/09
      77.   #56, Mark Lincoln 08:08  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 08/07/09
      78.   Lincoln don`t be so condescending-Jason, the persian history is 08:33  |  ks 08/07/09
      79.   Sarah and Mark 08:54  |  Jesse 08/07/09
      80.   We remember Iran`s taking of US hostages, do you? 13:05  |  petra 08/07/09
      81.   IF Israel has the bomb 13:14  |  petra 08/07/09
      82.   Natalie vs S&M 15:21  |  Jidma 08/07/09
      83.   Petra 15:25  |  Persian Kitty 08/07/09
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