Obama says U.S. did not okay Israeli strike against Iran

U.S. President Barack Obama rebuffed suggestions that Washington had given Israel a green light to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, in an interview with CNN yesterday. Asked whether Washington had given Israel the go-ahead 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.

Speaking from Russia, where he is on an official visit, Obama said the United States could not force views on Israel. "We can't dictate to other countries what their security interests are," he said.

"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, adding it would be achieved "through diplomatic channels."

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 Washington would turn him down, according to a report which appeared in yesterday's editions.

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

"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 U.S. 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.

Obama also called yesterday called for the U.S. 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 prepared remarks to graduates from Moscow's New Economic School.