WarSclerotic

A senior White House official criticized Israel’s stance on the Iran nuclear talks on Wednesday, claiming its hard-line position would lead to war.

Speaking in a phone conference with think tanks supportive of U.S. President Barack Obama’s approach to the nuclear issue, the official expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition to an interim deal that would call for relief in select sanctions in exchange for the partial dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program. Jewish News Agency JTA was given access to the call, on condition that its participants remain anonymous.

According to the official, Israel’s demand that Iran completely halt uranium enrichment and dismantle its centrifuges is paving the way for war. Although he admitted that Israel’s position was logical, he said that if the Iranians were left with the choice between a complete surrender of the nuclear program and developing nuclear weapons, they would choose the bomb. The Israeli stance would “close the door on diplomacy” and “essentially lead to war,” the official said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman appealed to the six powers not to allow Iran any uranium enrichment. “As soon as the world recognizes the so-called ‘legitimate right to enrich uranium’ — every country in the Middle East will start talking about their own ‘legitimate right to enrich uranium,’ and at that moment, a wild nuclear arms race will begin.”

The current offer for an interim deal stipulates that Iran will suspend 20 percent uranium enrichment for six months, implying the ability to continue enriching to 3.5% and 5%, the current stockpiles of enriched uranium would need to be “addressed,” Iran would have to suspend construction of the Arak heavy water reactor and to stop building and installing centrifuges. The official pointed out that a ban on centrifuge construction will make it impossible for Iran to continue with a military program. Intrusive inspection to ensure Iran complies with the deal will be a condition as well. If Iran follows through with the deal, the U.S. will unfreeze a “fraction” of the country’s frozen assets, which amount to $100 billion.

Over the last week, American officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry, have been claiming that the interim deal will actually increase Israel’s security, despite Netanyahu’s opposing stance.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said Thursday to his Canadian counterpart Robert Nicholson: “We stand before the signing of a bad deal with Iran, which will allow the regime in Tehran to preserve its enrichment capabilities and operate without pressure. If Iran gets stronger, Hezbollah and the Islamic Jihad will get stronger. These are forces that will challenge both the West and us.”

According to Ya’alon, “The Iranians want, under the cover of the nuclear umbrella that they will have, to advance their terror activities, such as using a ‘dirty bomb’ at various targets in the Western world. Therefore, we must not tolerate the possibility of a nuclear Iran. One way or another, Iran’s military nuclear project must be stopped.”

Ya’alon said that continuing with sanctions and tough diplomacy is the best way to ensure the military option is not needed.