Attack against Iran remains option despite nuke talks – Israeli Minister

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Tuesday, April 17 that Israeli military action against Iran remains an option even while nuclear negotiations are under way. Barak also voiced strong doubts whether the talks would succeed.

Barak is due to meet U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in Washington on Thursday (today, April 19th) amid speculation in the Israeli media that Israel has promised its main ally that it will refrain from attacking Iran while the talks continue.

"We are not committing to anything," Barak said, when asked whether any such pledge had been made. "There is not, there has not been, there should not be and there cannot be (such a promise)."

Barak also stated that Israelis fear that the negotiations between Iran and the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany could drag on and waste "precious time".

Talks between Iran and the other world powers mentioned above began in Turkey this past Saturday and after a one-week hiatus are scheduled to resume in Baghdad in May.

[link to www.panarmenian.net]