Barak: World must act against Iran before it's too late
Defense Minister says Iran is soon reaching a point where even a 'surgical' military strike could not block it from acquiring nuclear arms.
By The Associated Press Tags: Ehud Barak Iran Iran nuclearDefense Minister Ehud Barak said Friday the world must quickly stop Iran from reaching the point where even a "surgical" military strike could not block it from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Amid fears that Israel is nearing a decision to attack Iran's nuclear program, Barak said tougher international sanctions are needed against Tehran's oil and banks so that "we all will know early enough whether the Iranians are ready to give up their nuclear weapons program."
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Defense Minister Ehud Barak gestures as he speaks during a session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012. |
| Photo by: AP |
Iran insists its atomic program is only aimed at producing energy and research, but has repeatedly refused to consider giving up its ability to enrich uranium.
"We are determined to prevent Iran from turning nuclear. And even the American president and opinion leaders have said that no option should be removed from the table and Iran should be blocked from turning nuclear," Barak old reporters during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.
"It seems to us to be urgent, because the Iranians are deliberately drifting into what we call an immunity zone where practically no surgical operation could block them," he said.
Barak called it "a challenge for the whole world" to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran but stopped short of confirming any action that could further stoke Washington's concern about a possible Israeli military strike.
Separately, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged a resumption of dialogue between Western powers and Iran on their nuclear dispute.
He said Friday that Tehran must comply with Security Council resolutions and prove conclusively that its nuclear development program is not directed to making arms.
"The onus is on Iran," said Ban, speaking at a press conference. "They have to prove themselves that their nuclear development program is genuinely for peaceful purposes, which they have not done yet."
Ban expressed concern at the most recent report of the International Atomic Energy Agency that strongly suggested that Iran's nuclear program, which it long has claimed is for development of power generation, has a military intent.
IAEA chief Yukiya Amano said at a Davos session that "we do not have that much confidence if Iran has declared everything" and its best information "indicates that Iran has engaged in activities relevant to nuclear explosive devices."
"For now they do not have the capacity to manufacture the fuel," he said. "But in the future, we don't know."
In spite of his tough words to Iran, Ban said that dialogue among the "three-plus-three" … Germany, France and Britain plus Russia, China and the United States … is the path forward.
"There is no other alternative for addressing this crisis than peaceful ... resolution through dialogue," said Ban.
Ban noted that there have been a total of five Security Council resolutions so far on the Iranian nuclear program, four calling for sanctions.
As tensions have been on the rise recently, some political leaders in Israel and the United States have been speaking increasingly of the possibility of a military strike to eliminate, or at least slow down, what they allege is a determined effort by Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.
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Barak with nejad and iran with israel.
So let me get this right, Israel can claim 'ambiguity' over nukes but Iran who is publicly stating 'we're not interested in nukes' is only good for a 'defensive' war started by yourselves? I've heard it all now. And as long as Israel defends nuclear ambiguity as 'strategic advantage', Iran can also defend its nuclear ambiguity as 'strategic advantage'. So leave Iran alone as long as you allow Israel and any other country to defend its nuclear ambiguity as 'strategic advantage'. If the US and Israel want Iranian nuclear transparency, then Israel better be just as transparent.
No-one cares what Nuclear Israel says about a "possible" nuclear Iran. You got 'em Israel, you're a Theocracy, so why can't another rouge regime possess the toys you've had in your arsenal for 3+ decades?
In all the discussions about this issue everyone eventually acknowledges that any military strike will not stop Iran from developing nuclear arms. It will only delay their programme. And this delay is not long. Not five, not ten years but months. So what is the point of risking world war and/or global economic meltdown for the sake of a few months? Iran will have the bomb. The world had better get used to it and figure out how to deal with that situation. What right do western countries have to tell another country that they are not allowed to have weapons that we already possess. When the west talks about commitments to nuclear non-proliferation they mean that nuclear arms should not proliferate outside of the existing club of nuclear armed nations. Nobody talks about giving up their membership of the nuclear club. As far as Israel is concerned well go ahead attack another country, it's what you have done on a regular basis for the whole of your existence, but count me and the rest of the world out of it.
Why the world must act against Iran ? so Israel will stay the only bully in the middle east with Nukes ? if Israel doesn't like the fact of Iran becoming a Nuclear nation then go ahead and do your dirty work, no one will do it for you, we wont be sacrificing a single US Soldier for the sake of Israel.
Javed : the world must stop Israel before its too late . Israeli politics is becoming boring .
Why the world must act against Iran ? so Israel will stay the only bully in the middle east with Nukes ? if Israel doesn't like the fact of Iran becoming a Nuclear nation then go ahead and do your dirty work, no one will do it for you, we wont be sacrificing a single US Soldier for the sake of Israel.
The world needs a nuclear Iran to deter Israel from its hegemonic military adventurism. For example, analyse how Israel waltzes into West Bank anytime to capriciously arrest arabs in their own country.
I believe that the US is determined that there will be no new nuclear nations. Iran will be stopped and the US is already strongly destroying Iran’s economy. Iran is coming close to breaking. The US is moving steadfastly to stop Iran and no doubt knows at least as well and probably a lot better than Barak the status of Iran’s weapon program. Barak adds little or nothing to the issue. Moreover, the US led effort will leave Iran a broken and disabled nation; unable to foment significant trouble. Given the circumstances in Syria Iran is unable to get military equipment to Hezbollah; and Hamas while not shut done is relatively quiet. Moreover, Israel is dealing very well with Gaza’s terrorists. Israel’s main concern is dealing with the West Bank Pal Arabs. Note that it is discussing peace without a Gaza presence, which means that Israel has written off Hamas; a very good sign. Abbas won’t give up on his ridiculous claims and will rely on the UN and others to press claims on Israel. It will be fruitless and in time something reasonable can be managed. It won’t include E. Jerusalem and some settlements will survive but if the West Bank PalArabs want an agreement that is the best they will get.
Is this guy for real? Or is he trying to appeal to the Israeli sentiments in order to keep his popularity and continue in politics. What else can be done about Iran? I am sure that those in power are beginning to feel very uncomfortable with the sanctions imposed by the Western World. Those who stubbornly control that country will be made accountable by the people and eventually a much needed social change will occur.
tell this old clown that the world does NOT take orders from Israel. Fight your own wars if you can, bloody armchair warriors.
Israel's enemy is the world's enemy. That's what Israelis tell us. Somehow it has a familiar ring to it. Israel has been busy at work stealing land and waiting to see if anyone was going to do anything about it. By now the Israelis know that nobody is going to do anything about it no matter what they do. This is encouraging to Israel. It would be even more encouraging to Israel if the international communities would take on the continuing task of defeating Israel's enemies. This would keep everyone busy as Israel got on with the important business of settlement construction. Israelis are easily obsessed. Obviously settlement construction and attacking Iran are two obsessions. Less evident is an obsession for control, especially of the American government. Obama has been 95% pro-Israel, but it is the 5% that is out of their control that worries Israelis and makes Obama an unsuitable president from thier point of view. There is no such ambiguity with the Republican candidates. They are ready to attack Iran today, but alas, they have no authority!
The World must. The world has nothing to do but take care the Jew’s problems, most of Asia where 2/3 of the population live, really do not care about Israel. If it was not the U.S. propping up Israel this problem would be solved long ago.
You are a liar Barak. You need to stop stigmatizing Iranians with your false propaganda or Iranians will start fighting back on the news manipulation front and expose you all
The world must act against Israel as well before it is too late
Iran's missiles are certainly a threat. It is only the degree of the threat that is unknown. A war with Israel will give them plenty of practice at least. Did you know that during second week of the 2006 war the IDF tanks and infantry crossed the border into southern Lebanon and encountered Hizbollah face to face? After a fierce fire fight, the IDF sustained a few dozen casualties and withdrew back across the border, leaving a number of blazing tanks behind. Those Israeli troops never crossed back into Lebanon. The rest of the war was carried out by Israeli artillery and aircraft with a couple of special forces missions far behind the lines. The IDF was a dismal failure in the 2006 war. This is why Israel fired it's defense minister, it's chief of staff and seven other generals and this is why the Winograd Committee was formed. To find out what went wrong. Hizbollah's success in this war gave them substantail political gains which they have since consolidated. At this point, the IDF has become an over rated joke, good only for killing unarmed civilians. They certainly inspire disgust, but not fear.
Mideast war is good for Israel. It doesn't matter who is involved. Duing a mideast war no attention is given to Israel's settlements and oppression of the Palestinians. During a mideast war, America can be counted upon to throw extra money Israel's way. During a mideast war, Israel's project of painting all of Islam as evil terrorists gains great strides. During a mideast war, America takes extraordinary steps to ensure the "safety" of Israel. Barak and the Israeli government are beginning to see their cherished America vs Iran war slip away. I wonder what they will do about it.
Why not ask the world if they think Israel should be dtopped? I'm sure you already know the answer to that question.
Arabs carried war since the beginning . When they started to occupy other people lands