US President Barack Obama speaks during a press conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Thursday, March. 21, 2013. Credit: AP
While stressing that "shooting is the last option," Israeli President Shimon Peres said Thursday that "America is not a chicken" and, as such, President Obama would be willing to launch a U.S. strike on Iran to thwart its nuclear weapons program.
Speaking to Fox News reporter Ed Henry, Peres said he believes that the White House is ready to take military action if necessary. The Israeli president said he is basing his assessment on private talks he had on Wednesday with Obama as well as public statements the American president made during his joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"America is really looking for peace, but if somebody threatens peace, America is not a chicken," Peres said before adding that in his experience, U.S. presidents carefully consider their words before making commitments like the one Obama made on Wednesday. Peres was referring to Obama's vow on Wednesday to do "what is necessary" to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The nearly 90-year-old Israeli statesman believes that Obama's remarks had gravitas.
"From my experience, I know that an American president does not announce something by accident," Peres told Fox.
"So I would say about all presidents: They are very careful with their words because they have to keep the American credibility."
"Only if all of this (diplomacy) will not fly, then there must be another option," he stressed. "If there won't be another option, all the others don't exist."
When asked if he believes America is ready to "shoot if necessary," Peres replied: "Yes."
