Israel under international pressure not to attack Iran alone

[alan131210]

(Reuters) - Israel is facing growing international pressure not to attack Iran unilaterally, with the United States in particular making clear its firm opposition to any such strike.

Recent rhetoric by Israeli leaders that time is running out to halt Iran's contested nuclear programme has raised concern that military action might be imminent, despite repeated calls from abroad to give sanctions and diplomacy more time to work.

The U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, has always cautioned against a go-it-alone approach, but he appeared to up the ante this week by saying Washington did not want to be blamed for any Israeli initiative.

"I don't want to be complicit if they (Israel) choose to do it," Dempsey was quoted as saying by Britain's Guardian newspaper on Friday, suggesting that he would view an Israeli attack as reprehensible or illegal.

He went on to repeat that although Israel could delay Iran's nuclear project, it would not destroy it. He said that unilateral action might unravel a strong international coalition that has applied progressively stiff sanctions on Iran.

"(This) could be undone if (Iran) was attacked prematurely," he was quoted as saying.

While Tehran says its nuclear programme is peaceful, Western powers believe it is trying to produce an atomic bomb. Israel, believed to have the only nuclear arsenal in the Middle East, views a nuclear-armed Iran as a threat to its existence.

Adding to the sense of urgency, the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency said on Thursday Iran had doubled the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges in an underground bunker, showing its desire to expand its nuclear work.

CRACKS IN THE ALLIANCE

Israel's vice prime minister Moshe Yaalon said on Friday he feared Iran did not believe it faced a real military threat from the outside world because of mixed messages from foreign powers.

"We have an exchange of views, including with our friends in the United States, who in our opinion, are in part responsible for this feeling in Iran," he told Israel's 100FM radio station.

"There are many cracks in the ring closing tighter on Iran. We criticize this," he said, also singling out U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for travelling to Tehran this week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will speak out about the dangers of Iran in an address next month to the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

He is also expected to hold talks with U.S. President Barack Obama during his visit. A senior Israeli official told Reuters this month that Netanyahu would be looking for a firm pledge of U.S. military action if Iran does not back down.

However, the meeting might well be icy.

Israel's top-selling daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Friday that there had been an "unprecedented" and "angry" exchange between Netanyahu and the U.S. ambassador in Tel Aviv earlier this month over Iran.

Quoting a source who was present at the meeting, Netanyahu had criticized Obama for not doing enough to tackle Iran. The U.S. ambassador Daniel Shapiro took exception and accused the prime minister of distorting Obama's position.

The prime minister's office declined to comment on the report and there was no initial response from the U.S. embassy.

Adding to the growing chorus of concern facing Netanyahu, Haaretz newspaper reported on Friday that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had delivered a "harsh message" to Netanyahu 10 days ago, telling him to hold off on any attack plans.

The German embassy in Tel Aviv declined comment.

Israeli officials have repeatedly said that a growing array of sanctions against Iran are not having any impact on the Tehran leadership and believe they will only back down in the face of a credible threat of military action.

However, Netanyahu faces an uphill task persuading his own military and inner circle of the wisdom of a unilateral strike. Political sources told Reuters on Tuesday an ultra-orthodox party in his coalition was opposed to war.

[brendar]

What are the chances for Israel together with US, going to war with Iran, if Mitt Romney gets elected?

I don't think Obama will start another war, as US can not afford another war. It will also definitely be the end of him as a president.

I'm wondering, whether a war will benefit us or not. Maybe the Kurds in Iran will rise and liberate the Kurdish cities. But there's a great chance that we'll get a lot of casualties.

What do you think?

Any war will benefit us. Mitt Romney is the man. The kurds in iran cannot rise unless there is a war. We need US and ISRAEL TO DESTROY IRAN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

[Rando]

ive heard that this mitt romney is anti-kurdistan? is this true?

[burnsss]

ive heard that this mitt romney is anti-kurdistan? is this true?

Havent you heard no friend but the mountains? We hope for Biden and Obama. Biden does atleast not hate kurds and we hope for them.

[kurdistanis1]

ive heard that this mitt romney is anti-kurdistan? is this true?

He has no chance of winning, the guy has no idea what he's talking about and most Americans are sick of war. His running mate is also a goof and he's not helping his case. I find American politics to be a joke, considering there is only 2 parties and they are the same thing, but I'd rather Obama win. Romney is a redneck.

[talsor]

Israel and US will do what/when/where they want to do and they never do thing spontinously or out of emotion . The latest meeting between Komala and PDKI was most certainly sponsored by Isreal or United state or both . Get ready people we are heading east this time

[alan131210]

i hope jashes like kermashani that got banned first cop it by KPDI and Komele

[FeyliKurd]

ive heard that this mitt romney is anti-kurdistan? is this true?

Havent you heard no friend but the mountains? We hope for Biden and Obama. Biden does atleast not hate kurds and we hope for them.

Ron Paul for president!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obHjkqq-ci0#&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&hd=1   

!

[FeyliKurd]

Ron Paul for president!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obHjkqq-ci0#&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&hd=1   

!

He's indeed good, one that understands our cause. But he's against wars, so there would be no war with Iran. Iran won't be diveded without any war, and that means, we won't be able to liberate the Kurdish cities.

the question is, is it really in the US interests to establish a Kurdish state in iran?

Don't forget that the US recognizes PJAK as terrorists (because of their links with the PKK). And we all know that the US don't want to make Turkey upset. I don't really trust Mitt Romney. He is only looking for the USA's and Israel's interests, and that is to install another U.S. zionist puppet (just like Reza Shah).

and how can we take control of the Kurdish towns without international support? Iran is not Syria. Think of Iran's army, they will invade and take back everything (just like they did in Mahabad 1946).

[Shere Medya]

Ron Paul for president!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obHjkqq-ci0#&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&hd=1   

!

He's indeed good, one that understands our cause. But he's against wars, so there would be no war with Iran. Iran won't be diveded without any war, and that means, we won't be able to liberate the Kurdish cities.

the question is, is it really in the US interests to establish a Kurdish state in iran?

Don't forget that the US recognizes PJAK as terrorists (because of their links with the PKK). And we all know that the US don't want to make Turkey upset. I don't really trust Mitt Romney. He is only looking for the USA's and Israel's interests, and that is to install another U.S. zionist puppet (just like Reza Shah).

and how can we take control of the Kurdish towns without international support? Iran is not Syria. Think of Iran's army, they will invade and take back everything (just like they did in Mahabad 1946).

I think it is too late to attack Iran.

[Rando]

why do you think its too late?

[Kurdistano]

Ron Paul for president!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obHjkqq-ci0#&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&hd=1   

!

He's indeed good, one that understands our cause. But he's against wars, so there would be no war with Iran. Iran won't be diveded without any war, and that means, we won't be able to liberate the Kurdish cities.

the question is, is it really in the US interests to establish a Kurdish state in iran?

Don't forget that the US recognizes PJAK as terrorists (because of their links with the PKK).

Actually no they dont and this exactly because they are fighting Iran.

Its more than just in US interests to divide such a huge empire/state into several smaller pieces believe me. Huge countries are usually poor (a small rich elite and the rest poor) while smaller countries are easier to control and usually smaller gab between rich and poor.

[Kurdistano]

why do you think its too late?

Because he loves Hitler and believes in a Aryan brotherhood , Just joking (or?)

Of course its not too late. Why should it be too late give me one reason.

[Shere Medya]

why do you think its too late?

Because he loves Hitler and believes in a Aryan brotherhood , Just joking (or?)

Of course its not too late. Why should it be too late give me one reason.

Lol, Aryan brotherhood sounds good to me. It will protect us from Arab aggression and keep our kurdishness

well I think Iran has pumped up its military and has or is close to getting nukes. I think it's now or never.

[Kurdistano]

why do you think its too late?

Because he loves Hitler and believes in a Aryan brotherhood , Just joking (or?)

Of course its not too late. Why should it be too late give me one reason.

Lol, Aryan brotherhood sounds good to me. It will protect us from Arab aggression and keep our kurdishness

well I think Iran has pumped up its military and has or is close to getting nukes. I think it's now or never.

being close means everything between one and three years. Iran can "pump" its military up all day long it will never be comparable to the military power of the three big ones US, Russia and China. And no Russia would never, not even to their allies, sell their best weapons. None of the big three would do that.