nuclear-news

USA prepared to strike Iran

US ready to strike Iran, says envoy, SMH, Amy Teibel May 18, 2012 – The US has plans in place to attack Iran if necessary to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, Washington’s envoy to Israel says, days ahead of a crucial round of nuclear talks with Tehran….
… Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, like
energy production. The US and Israel suspect Iran is pursuing nuclear
weapons, but differences have emerged in how to persuade Tehran to
curb its program.

Washington says diplomacy and economic sanctions must be given a
chance to run its course, and is taking the lead in the ongoing talks
between six global powers and Iran.

Israel, while saying it would prefer a diplomatic solution, has
expressed scepticism about these talks and says time is running out
for military action to be effective.

President Barack Obama has assured Israel that the US is prepared to
take military action if necessary, and it is standard procedure for
armies to draw up plans for a broad range of possible scenarios. But
Shapiro’s comments were the most explicit sign yet that preparations
have been stepped up.

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany are
gearing up to for a May 23 meeting with Iran in Baghdad. Shortly after
the meeting, the UN atomic agency is to release its latest report card
on Iran’s nuclear efforts.

In Tehran on Thursday, top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili warned
against Western pressure at next week’s talks, which are a follow-up
to negotiations in Istanbul last month that all sides praised as
positive…. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/us-ready-to-strike-iran-says-envoy-20120518-1yu1l.html

May 18, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA, weapons and war