US President Barack Obama urges Israeli and Palestinian leaders that they shouldnt let the chance of a permanent peace deal slip away. He says this moment of opportunity may not soon come again and pledges US support for the new negotiations
The United States has persuaded Israel that Iran would take one year or longer to build a nuclear weapon, dimming the prospects of a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. “We think that they have roughly a year dash time,” President Barack Obama’s top advisor on nuclear issues Gary Samore was quoted as saying in the daily’s online edition. By “dash time,” the official referred to the shortest time Iran would take to build a nuclear weapon, judging from its existing facilities and capacity to convert stocks of low-enriched uranium into weapons-grade material, a process known as “breakout.” Samore said the United States believes international inspectors would detect any Iranian move toward “breakout” within weeks, leaving the US and Israel ample time to craft a response
Mike Mullen said he believes Iran will continue to pursue nuclear weapons, even if sanctions against the country are increased.Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff said it would be “incredibly dangerous” for Iran to achieve nuclear weapons, and that there’s “no reason to trust” Iran’s assurances that it is only pursuing a peaceful nuclear program, especially after the discovery of the secret nuclear facility in Qum.
Russia Freezes Iran Missile Contract: Russia is freezing a contract to deliver S-300 air defence missiles to Iran after the adoption of the new UN sanctions against Tehran, a source told the Interfax news agency on Thursday. Russia agreed the deal on the missiles several years ago but has never delivered the weapons, amid pressure from the United States and Israel which fear they would dramatically improve Iran’s defensive capabilities. “It is compulsory to fulfill a decision by the UN Security Council and Russia is not an exception here,” said the source in the Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation (FSVTS), which supervises Russian arms sales.
Arrangements have been finalized by Israel to intercept another ship bound for Gaza carrying aid and activists, increasing fears of more international tension over its blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israel has faced stiff criticism from international community after its naval operation during which nine Turkish activists were killed on a ship bound for Gaza. Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said in a statement: “Those on board the Rachel Corrie have indicated that they are ready to accept inspection of their cargo at sea, prior to docking in Gaza.” Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said: “We will stop the ship, and also any other ship that will try to harm Israeli sovereignty.” Avigdor informed that Israel was in no mood to tussle with any group and would only allow the aid ship to reach Gaza after thorough searching of the people and goods on board
Arrangements have been finalized by Israel to intercept another ship bound for Gaza carrying aid and activists, increasing fears of more international tension over its blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israel has faced stiff criticism from international community after its naval operation during which nine Turkish activists were killed on a ship bound for Gaza. Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said in a statement: “Those on board the Rachel Corrie have indicated that they are ready to accept inspection of their cargo at sea, prior to docking in Gaza.” Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said: “We will stop the ship, and also any other ship that will try to harm Israeli sovereignty.” Avigdor informed that Israel was in no mood to tussle with any group and would only allow the aid ship to reach Gaza after thorough searching of the people and goods on board.
WASHINGTON: President Obama said tonight that the U.S.
Israeli aircraft struck at least seven targets in the Gaz a Strip on Friday a day after a rocket fired from the Palestinian enclave killed a Thai worker in Israel, Hamas security officials and witnesses said. Eleven people were wounded in the series of Israeli strikes, which targeted smuggling tunnels along the border with Egypt, a metal foundry near Gaza City and the territory’s non-operating airport. Those wounded in the evening strike on the airport in southern Gaza were brought to hospital in Rafah
President Barack Obama said that keeping Tehran without a nuclear weapon is one of his highest priorities. He added that US is having good relations with Israel.
The Obama administration continued to criticise Israel’s announcement to build 1,600 settler homes in east Jerusalem during a visit by US Vice President Joe Biden. In an interview taped on Friday and broadcast Sunday on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the announcement an insult to her country