Israel “won’t be destroyed if Iran attacks”

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has said that Israel would not be destroyed in the Iranian counter-attack. Iran, on the other hand, has threatened to destroy Israel. Israel “won’t be destroyed if Iran attacks” Barak said he expected the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on the Iranian nuclear program could convince Russia and China to impose “lethal sanctions” on Iran. "As long as no such sanctions have been imposed and proven effective, we continue to recommend to our friends in the world and to ourselves, not to take any option off the table," the Israeli minister stressed. The "all options on the table" phrase is often used by Israeli politicians to mean a military assault. Iran’s Deputy Military Chief Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri, warned Israel that any attack on Iran's nuclear sites by that country would result in the "destruction" of Israel. “Israeli nuclear research site of Dimona is the most accessible target and we have even bigger capacities. The smallest action by Israel [against Iran] and we will see its destruction,” he stressed. "Our response would not be limited to the Middle East", Iranian Al-Alam TV has reported. Israeli leaders implied before the report on Iran’s nuclear program was published that a military operation was being planned and the media reported that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was trying to convince the government to approve the attack. Israeli President Shimon Peres has openly said that an attack on Iran is becoming "more and more likely". The Israeli defense minister has, however, rejected the claims that he and Netanyahu are planning on attacking Iran, claiming that the decision has not been made yet. He also dismissed assessments about possible Israeli victims. “I say to you with responsibility, let’s say we get into a war against our will. There will not be 100,000 dead, or 10,000 dead or 1000 dead. The state of Israel will not be destroyed,” Barak pointed out. Russia has expressed anger over the publication of the UN nuclear watchdog’s report into the Iranian nuclear program, saying it was adding to tensions in the standoff with world powers, while the U.S. did not want to comment on the report until it became familiar with its content. “Russia is gravely disappointed and bewildered that the report is being turned into a source adding to the tensions over the problems connected to the Iranian nuclear program,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. The statement said Moscow doubted the wisdom of making the report public, saying this risked damaging the chance of a renewal of talks between world powers and Tehran to solve the nuclear crisis through diplomacy, AFP has reported. The Russian ministry said the report now risked being used by those who wanted to see Iran painted in the worst possible light, in a possible reference to Israel and the U.S. The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday that it needed time to study the IAEA report and refused to comment on its content, Reuters has reported. China warned on Wednesday against turmoil in the Middle East from action over Iran's nuclear program, but declined to comment on the possibility of new sanctions following a UN report that Iran appears to have worked on designing an atomic weapon, Reuters has reported. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said China was "studying" the IAEA report, and repeated a call to resolve the issue peacefully through talks. "I wish to point out that China opposes the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and disapproves of any Middle Eastern country developing nuclear weapons. As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran bears the responsibilities of nuclear non-proliferation," he told a daily news briefing. "The Iranian side should also demonstrate flexibility and sincerity, and engage in serious cooperation with the agency," Hong said, referring to the IAEA. "I want to stress that avoiding fresh turmoil in the Middle Eastern security environment is important for both the region and for the international community," he concluded. (Beta)

Israel “won’t be destroyed if Iran attacks”

Barak said he expected the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on the Iranian nuclear program could convince Russia and China to impose “lethal sanctions” on Iran.

"As long as no such sanctions have been imposed and proven effective, we continue to recommend to our friends in the world and to ourselves, not to take any option off the table," the Israeli minister stressed.

The "all options on the table" phrase is often used by Israeli politicians to mean a military assault.

Iran’s Deputy Military Chief Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri, warned Israel that any attack on Iran's nuclear sites by that country would result in the "destruction" of Israel.

“Israeli nuclear research site of Dimona is the most accessible target and we have even bigger capacities. The smallest action by Israel [against Iran] and we will see its destruction,” he stressed.

"Our response would not be limited to the Middle East", Iranian Al-Alam TV has reported.

Israeli leaders implied before the report on Iran’s nuclear program was published that a military operation was being planned and the media reported that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was trying to convince the government to approve the attack.

Israeli President Shimon Peres has openly said that an attack on Iran is becoming "more and more likely".

The Israeli defense minister has, however, rejected the claims that he and Netanyahu are planning on attacking Iran, claiming that the decision has not been made yet. He also dismissed assessments about possible Israeli victims.

“I say to you with responsibility, let’s say we get into a war against our will. There will not be 100,000 dead, or 10,000 dead or 1000 dead. The state of Israel will not be destroyed,” Barak pointed out.

Russia has expressed anger over the publication of the UN nuclear watchdog’s report into the Iranian nuclear program, saying it was adding to tensions in the standoff with world powers, while the U.S. did not want to comment on the report until it became familiar with its content.

“Russia is gravely disappointed and bewildered that the report is being turned into a source adding to the tensions over the problems connected to the Iranian nuclear program,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The statement said Moscow doubted the wisdom of making the report public, saying this risked damaging the chance of a renewal of talks between world powers and Tehran to solve the nuclear crisis through diplomacy, AFP has reported.

The Russian ministry said the report now risked being used by those who wanted to see Iran painted in the worst possible light, in a possible reference to Israel and the U.S.

The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday that it needed time to study the IAEA report and refused to comment on its content, Reuters has reported.

China warned on Wednesday against turmoil in the Middle East from action over Iran's nuclear program, but declined to comment on the possibility of new sanctions following a UN report that Iran appears to have worked on designing an atomic weapon, Reuters has reported.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said China was "studying" the IAEA report, and repeated a call to resolve the issue peacefully through talks.

"I wish to point out that China opposes the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and disapproves of any Middle Eastern country developing nuclear weapons. As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran bears the responsibilities of nuclear non-proliferation," he told a daily news briefing.

"The Iranian side should also demonstrate flexibility and sincerity, and engage in serious cooperation with the agency," Hong said, referring to the IAEA.

"I want to stress that avoiding fresh turmoil in the Middle Eastern security environment is important for both the region and for the international community," he concluded.