‘Nuclear talks only gave Iran more time’
‘Nuclear talks only gave Iran more time’ | The Times of Israel.
Senior Israeli official dismisses West’s latest attempt to curb Iran’s nuclear drive via diplomatic means
A recently concluded round of nuclear talks between Iran and the West yielded nothing but more time for Tehran in its race toward atomic armament, an Israeli official told AFP on Saturday.
The P5+1 group of nations – the US, China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany – wrapped up a two-day summit in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, during which Iran was offered an easing of some sanctions in exchange for cooperation on uranium enrichment.
“We understand that the only thing that was achieved in these talks was to give Iran more time to move ahead in its quest for a nuclear weapon,” the Israeli official was quoted as saying.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said the talks had been useful and left the door open for future bilateral talks between Washington and Tehran.
“Iran knows what it needs to do. The president has made clear his determination to implement his policy that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” Kerry said, according to Reuters.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said he looked forward to “further progress by experts in March on the revised and credible proposal” the P5+1 put to Iran.
But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the international community should threaten Iran with “military sanctions” if the regime doesn’t stop pursuing its nuclear program.
“We have the problem of Iran that is continuing to defy the international community, [and] doesn’t seem to seek an end to its military nuclear program,” Netanyahu said during a meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris in Jerusalem. “Like North Korea, it continues to defy all the international standards and I believe that this requires the international community to ratchet up its sanctions and make clear that if this continues there will be also a credible military sanction. I think no other means will make Iran obey the wishes of the international community.”
Former foreign minister Avigdor Liberman accused the West of backing down.
“It’s clear to everyone that the Iranians don’t intend to halt their efforts to reach nuclear capability,” he said. “The reactors at Parchin and other locations are working at full steam without any [International Atomic Energy Agency] observer being allowed to visit.”
Iran maintains it has the right under international law to enrich uranium to 20 percent — a level at which uranium can quickly be further enriched for use in a nuclear weapon. Tehran claims it needs that level of enriched uranium for reactor fuel and medical isotopes, and has signaled it does not intend to stop.
UN nuclear inspectors last week confirmed Iran has begun a major upgrade of its program at the country’s main uranium enrichment site.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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WarSclerotic 
March 3, 2013 at 1:49 PM
There is no need for Israel to attack in Iran. As the things are going right now, the great damage to Iran is done by Iran itself.
March 3, 2013 at 9:22 PM
…And after this evening, we have to say that elections in Israel in June are a very possible nightmare coming true for Netanyahu. The existence of a stabile, right government is essential for any operation in Iran. Without entering in the spicey israeli politics, we’ll say here and now that the chances to get such a government are zero; not Iran is the problem right now for Netanyahu. The problem is if he will be, in fact, the next PM.
March 4, 2013 at 1:11 AM
I’m going to be very surprised if Netanyahu can’t put together a coalition by the March 16th deadline.
I’m guessing war comes within a month of that new government being formed. I’ve felt a number of times in the past years that war was very close and especially so last September / October.
But it feels to me at least that after doing the Democrats a huge favor by waiting past the November election (and putting themselves in a much worse spot) Israel is at the end of their rope and have to move now if they’re ever going to.
March 4, 2013 at 2:35 AM
The other point I would make is that in the unlikely event that another Israeli election is necessary that doesn’t mean they can afford to wait another 6 months to deal with Iran in the Fall.
As I stated earlier weather conditions make a Summer operation very unlikely and Iran certainly isn’t going to stand still while Israeli politics sort themselves out.
Just like any world leader, Netanyahu’s most important responsibility is to safeguard his country regardless of election cycles.
March 4, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Netanyahu cannot attack Iran alone, he needs a certain coalition which, this time, isnt at his disposal. The actual potential partners are very difficult to rule, to say the least. And they are not so friendly, also. We wont get into the details here – boring politics – but one thing is sure: this future government is already a dead horse.
With such ”prospective”, Bibi also knows he wont have the freedom of action he needs, nor will he be in a strong position to make a stand when the Obama’s Tours will arrive in our holly land.