Israel seeks threat of US war on Iran

Following a US senator’s call for a war on Iran, the Israeli premier plans to ask Washington to threaten Tehran with a military operation to stop its civilian nuclear program.

“The only way to make sure that Iran does not arm itself with nuclear weapons is to create a credible threat of a military operation against it if it does not cease the race for nuclear armament,” the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.

The statement comes while Iran has repeatedly said that is does not possess nor does is seek to acquire nuclear weapons — which is says does not fit in its defense doctrine.

“The economic sanctions may be burdening Iran, but there has been no sign… that it plans to halt its nuclear program because of this,” Ynet quoted the statement by Netanyahu’s office as saying.

“…only an actual military threat on Iran can prevent us from applying real military force,” read the statement, adding that Netanyahu is expected to discuss the issue with US Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday.

On Saturday, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham urged Washington to “destroy” the Islamic Republic through military action.

“Not to just neutralize their nuclear program, but to sink their navy, destroy their air force and deliver a decisive blow to the Revolutionary Guard, in other words neuter that regime,” Graham said.

Amid a standoff over Iran’s nuclear program, both Tel Aviv and Washington have repeatedly threatened Tehran with the “option” of a military strike, based on the allegation that Iran’s nuclear work may consist of a covert military agenda.

The latest threat of a military action was invoked by US Admiral Mike Mullen, who claimed he was ready to start a war if he was convinced it would keep Iran from making a “bomb.”

Graham repeated Mullen’s threats and said, “The last thing America wants is another military conflict, but the last thing the world needs is a nuclear-armed Iran… Containment is off the table.”

This is while President Barack Obama said in September that a military attack by Israel or the US against Iran would not be an “ideal way” to solve the issue of Tehran’s nuclear program.

Obama, however, added that the US would keep all options on the table.

In August, Iran complained to the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the General Assembly about US threats of a military attack against the country over its nuclear program and based on “totally false” grounds, vowing a response to any such strikes.

Iran says its nuclear program is completely peaceful and within the framework of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, to which it is a signatory.

Iranian officials have warned that any act of aggression by the US and Israel against Iran’s nuclear facilities would be firmly responded to and could result in a war that would spread beyond the Middle East.