US opposes military threat against Iran

As the Israeli premier plans to ask the US to threaten Iran with a military operation to stop its civilian nuclear program, Washington rejects Tel Aviv’s call.

“I would disagree that only a credible military threat (would convince) Iran to take the actions it needs to end its nuclear weapons program,” US Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters on Monday.

He added that non-military action and sanctions against Tehran are enough to pressure Iran to end its nuclear program.

Gates made the remarks a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Washington that only a credible threat of military action will halt Iran’s nuclear plans.

“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.