US

Panetta Warns of Military Option Against Iran While in Israel

Leon Panetta Warns of Possible Military Action Against Iran

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - AUGUST 1: Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak (L) stands with US Defensesecretary Leon Panetta at the start of their meeting on August 1, 2012 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Panetta is on a four day trip to the Middle-East with stops in Tunisia, Egypt, Israel and Jordan before returning to Washington.Credit: Getty Images

ASHKELON, Israel (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday that Iran must either negotiate acceptable limits on its nuclear program or face the possibility of U.S. military action to stop it from getting the bomb.

Speaking outside the city of Ashkelon in southern Israel, with an “Iron Dome” rocket defense shield as a backdrop, Panetta sought to balance his threat to possibly use force against Iran with a message of patience. He said every measure short of military action must be exhausted first, and he suggested Israel agrees.

His Israeli counterpart, Ehud Barak, sought to portray the allies as united on Iran. But he left no doubt that his government believes time is running short to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon it could use on the Jewish state.

Standing beside Panetta and flanked by American and Israeli flags, Barak said he sees an “extremely low” probability that international economic sanctions will prove sufficient to cause the Iranian leaders to give up their nuclear ambitions.

“We have clearly something to lose” while the world waits for sanctions to have the desired effect, “because the Iranians are moving forward” with production of enriched uranium that could be used to build a bomb, Barak said.

Iran says its nuclear work is for civilian energy uses, but suspicions that the Islamic republic will use enriched uranium for nuclear weapons have resulted in international sanctions and saber-rattling from Israel, which perceives a nuclear Iran as an existential threat. The United States has discouraged Israel from a unilateral, pre-emptive military strike on Iran.

Panetta said repeatedly that “all options,” including military force, are on the table to stop Iran, should sanctions and diplomacy – the preferred means of persuasion – ultimately fail.

He said he still hopes Iran will see that negotiations are the best way out of this crisis.

However, Panetta said, “If they continue and if they proceed with a nuclear weapon, … we have options that we are prepared to implement to ensure that that does not happen.”

Panetta later met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhayu, who has said repeatedly that if necessary he will order military action against Iran even if Washington objects. Panetta said in his appearance with Barak that he understands that Israel must make such important decisions on its own terms.

“Their effort to decide what is in their national security interest is something that must be left up to the Israelis,” Panetta said.

The Panetta visit to Israeli comes just days after U.S. Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney met with top Israeli officials about Iran and other issues. Romney has accused the Obama administration of being too soft on Iran and not providing sufficient support to Israel.

In greeting Panetta Wednesday at Israeli defense headquarters, Barak said, “The defense ties between Israel and the United States are stronger and tighter than they have ever been and the credit now has to go, most of it, to you, Leon.”

Panetta responded: “We are a friend, we are a partner, we have, as the defense minister has pointed out, probably the strongest U.S.-Israel defense relationship that we have had in history. What we are doing, working together, is an indication not only of our friendship but of our alliance to work together to try to preserve peace in the future.”

Leon Panetta Warns of Possible Military Action Against Iran

CAIRO, EGYPT - JULY 31: U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta (L), and U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson (R) take questions from the media at the Fairmont Hotel after a meeting with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi on July 31, 2012 in Cairo, Egypt. Secretary Panetta is on a four day trip to the Middle-East with stops in Tunisia, Egypt, Israel and Jordan before returning to Washington.Credit: Getty Images

Netanyahu told Israeli Channel 2 TV on Tuesday that despite reservations about an Iranian attack among former Israeli security officials and Israel’s current army chief, the country’s political leadership would make the final decision on any attack.

“I see an ayatollah regime that declares what it has championed: to destroy us,” Netanyahu said. “It’s working to destroy us, it’s preparing nuclear weapons to destroy us. … If it is up to me, I won’t let that happen.”

With “matters that have to do with our destiny, with our very existence, we do not put our faith in the hands of others, even our best of friends,” Netanyahu said, hinting that Israel might act alone despite American misgivings.

Netanyahu said both Romney and Obama have said “Israel has the right to defend itself.”

The trip to Ashkelon on Wednesday gave Panetta a chance to inspect and get briefed on an Israeli air defense system known as Iron Dome. It is designed to shoot down short-range rockets and artillery shells such as those that have been fired into the Jewish state in recent years from Islamic militants linked to Iran and based in southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

Obama last week announced he was releasing an additional $70 million in military aid for Israel, a previously announced move that appeared timed to upstage Romney’s trip to Israel. The stepped-up U.S. aid, first announced in May, will go to help Israel expand production of the Iron Dome system.

The Panetta visit to Israel comes at a critical time, with the U.S. considering more direct involvement in Syria’s civil war and weighing its course on Iran.

Panetta acknowledged Monday that international sanctions have not pressured Tehran to give up its nuclear ambitions. But the Obama administration thinks tougher sanctions eventually will compel Iran to submit and it doesn’t want Israel to attack prematurely.

—

Associated Press writers Amy Teibel and Daniel Estrin in contributed to this report.

Comments (32)

  • libsaredangerous
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 7:31pm

    Just like black people and the jobless and white people, the Jews better get anything they get in writing, because after the election, Barry is going back to treating them like the infidels he thinks they are. They need to get the attack on Iran signed and sealed and then attack the night of the election. Obama will want the attack in October, but Netanyahu must know that only helps Obama. Unite all Jews and kick Barry from office. He is an enemy of Israel.

    Report Post » libsaredangerous  
  • john vincent
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 5:37pm

    Of course the US will get involved/Iran; Pannetta is paving the way for a slow escalation of troops-
    they need SOMETHING to help the downward spiral of this current regime. King Obama will come out with an ‘All hail’ and try to rally support, but it will seen for the sham it is, and he will proceed anyway; here an aircraft carrier, there a tank, all for IMAGE.

    I hope Netanyahu keeps his distance, and embarrasses Obama with his own dose of diplomacy. A war in Iran NOW, would be disatrous for Romney and co.

    Report Post » john vincent  
  • tothepoint
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 5:08pm

    Obama and Panetta are concerned because Romney trumped them in Israel.
    Hey Israel – don’t believe a word Obama or Panetta say about their support of you. You’ve seen how they support Islam over the Jews. Don’t forget it.

    Report Post »  
  • raderby
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:44pm

    yeah, right, believe anything this leaker creep Panetta sez…. he’s a political dude… and a moron. A mouthpiece for slim shoulders wimp-in-chief liar currently inhabiting the WH.

    Report Post » raderby  
  • Individualism
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:55am

    did he also warn about the chance of a drastic lowering in popularity if they get USA involved in this country. Also the chance for boycotts against them for using our countries military. Also it will make the IDF look like the IOF. They can do it themselves and suffer minor backlash or get USA involved and suffer major backlash.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:56am

      If the USA attacks Iran there will not only be a backlash but an all out War on America from without and within. China and Russia are not going to stand idly by and let another brick in their own national interests fall to the USA and NATO allies. We have been literally boxing in both China and Russia for years. From the Balkans to the Gulf States, from the seas to the isles in Indian Ocean, South China Sea ie Japan and even signs of warmer ties with Vietnam.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • West Coast Patriot
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 5:42pm

      I agree Chief, it will be the beginning of WWIII. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2BFss6Qs0c&feature=youtu.be
      This seems to be what Blazers want though. I believe that we are getting closer to nuclear war than we were during the Cuban Missile Crisis. But there are a lot of “Christians” that seem to believe Christs message was: Do unto others, before they have a chance to do unto you, and do it to someone who is a lot weaker than you.

      All os this is a joke. Iran is the second largest producer of oil, but do not have the technology to refine enough gasoline for their country. We have several bases surrounding them, for what? To ensure that we control that oil, that’s for what.

      We need to protect Israel? They have the fourth largest military in the world after the U.S., Russia and China. Netanyahu tells us to stay out of their business. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12idqpxaujc&feature=related

      Report Post » West Coast Patriot  
  • marvlus
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:47am

    Has Iran got a nuclear plant up and running yet? If not, how long does it take?

    Report Post »  
    • Roberto G. Vasquez
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:53am

      @marvlus

      All it takes to trigger a USA military response is Obama losing in the polls! If it happens it will be an act of desperation on the part of the Demos.

      Report Post »  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:32am

      Comrade let me put it this way. It took the US five years to develop the very first atomic bomb. These guys have been working on this for 25 years, so what do you think?
      I’d love to say they are stupid idiots, but they aren’t. The best guess from MI is that they have between 25 and 35 bombs ready to be used. And, they have missiles to deliver them.
      Dear Leader is trying to start a war in the Middle East. This war will gut our navy in hours when the Irainians swap small boats with ship killing missiles for aircraft carriers! Nothing impeachable but it will make Pearl Harbor look like a minor strike!

      Report Post » historyguy48  
    • Southernguy
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:46am

      @ HISTORYGUY48…………..that‘s what I’m afraid of.

      Report Post » Southernguy  
    • Individualism
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:01am

      they don’t its a lie like the Iraq having weapons on mass destruction.

      Report Post » Individualism  
    • Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:40am

      Would we expect Israel to come bomb Canada if we got sideways with them? For Pete’s sake, Israel is more than capable of handling its back yard. For anyone who has fought an arab army you’ll know how ridiculous this fretting and gnashing of teeth is. We dismantled the 4th largest army on the planet in days and hours. I’ll quit beating around the bush here…ARAB ARMIES ARE A JOKE! Israel can do this without problems. Why commit American lives, resources and political capital for something like this. It just doesn’t make sense.

      Report Post » Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:46am

      historyguy48

      30 nukes or no nukes we have top start dismantling their network from Venezuela to the Muslim Triangle in Paraguay to sleeper cells to Hizbollah & Syria.

      Take a stand of they inexorably spread. The stand does not have to be nukes or conventional forces.

      But a stand has to be made & their netowrks have to be dismantled.

      Report Post »  
  • Justus39
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:36am

    I said sometime back that Obama would use this to help him in the election if he thought he needed it. I look for an attack on Iran before the election because of the polls.

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:03am

      Gosh. Do you think that the Democrats plan to not only tear up the fabric of America but to tear up the world ? I hadn’t thought they were that dysfunctional, just anti-American !

      Report Post »  
  • bikerdogred1
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:31am

    I think the USA should get all it’s information from MOSSAD even if they have to pay for it :Panetta,was in charge of the cia,not to many people would believe anything they have to say,now he is defense secretary,if I was back in the service I wouldn’t believe a word this man has to say.I couldn‘t trust him and I don’t think I would stay in the service.The democrats just being good communists.Wake up people.

    Report Post »  
  • justangry
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:07am

    Yay WWIII! It will be a hoot.

    Report Post » justangry  
    • poorrichard09
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:26am

      This admin talks a good fight, but 0bammy hasn’t got the cajones for it.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:48am

      Obama has the cajones for vicious political fights against domestic opposition.

      He has no cajones at all against foreigners.

      I wonder what harem his kids will end up in? It is what happens when the Muslims conquer you.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:49am

      Just angry.

      Not if you lose someone & the family line ends.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:56am

      Iran is vulnerable. It just a matter of how far we want to go in face of their provocations & criminal activity.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Iranian_Tanker_Company

      Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 7:55am

    Am sure there will be some more “ leaks” to follow by the White House to the New York Times. Must be time to make Obama “ look tough ” again. ( shhhh: distract with those cries for Romney’s tax records again guys ) So many different opinions to manipulate in order to win ! From the filthy rich Hollywood crowd to their OWS youthful adorers, the Obama Administration just has so many balls to keep juggling and so many masks to wear !

    Report Post »  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 7:53am

    70 million? That is only 25 minutes of spending by this administration………….

    Report Post » Stoic one  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 7:51am

    Translation – Obama will once again pass useless sanctions that he will never enforce, while the leaders of Iran will stall for time and more time until the atomic device they seek is a reality. So we see the clear facts again, more falsehoods given by the agent of Obama, Sec Panetta, and the only reason Obama is posturing like a cornish game hen is due to the elections coming up.

    Do not be suprised if one or more of the “October Suprises” Obama does is drag us into a war in Iran for the sake of the elections being suspended or martial law declared; recall that with the Saudi Ambassador bomb plot he already has engineered one ‘wag the dog’ moment to try and drag us into such a conflict.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • grudgywoof
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 7:50am

    Not till after the election……or perhaps an October suprise? Our stockpile of cruise missles and bombs are going to go out of date if we don’t use them. We must keep the industrial military complex wheels a turnin. President Eisenhour I wish you were still with us.

    Report Post » grudgywoof  

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