Obama Officials Rebuff Israel’s Request to Set a ‘Clear Red Line’ on Iran Nukes http://www.theblaze.com/stories/obama-officials-rebuff-israel%e2%80%99s-request-to-set-a-clear-red-line-on-iran-nukes/ via@theblaze
6:22 AM - 12 Sep 12 · Details
OBAMA OFFICIALS REBUFF ISRAEL’S REQUEST TO SET A ‘CLEAR RED LINE’ ON IRAN NUKES
- Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:36am by
Sharona Schwartz
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Secretary of State Clinton in Russia on Sunday (State Department Photo)
In two instances this week, the Obama administration made clear it is rejecting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call that a “clear red line” be set for Iran. According to the State Department spokeswoman, this is because President Obama continues to believe negotiations can stop Iran in its apparent attempt to develop a nuclear weapons’ capability.
The Times of Israel spoke to Israeli officials who are slamming the U.S. position. It reports:
Official Jerusalem struck back at the US Monday for saying it would not set clear red lines beyond which it would support a military attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.“Words like these won’t stop the centrifuges, but the opposite,” an unnamed source said. […]Israeli sources said the US refusal would detract from the credibility of the threat that Iran could come under military attack if it doesn’t abandon its program.“Without a firm and clear red line, Iran won’t stop its race for a nuclear weapon,” a source said. “Words like these don’t only not deter Iran, they calm it.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Bloomberg radio that she and her administration colleagues believe in the negotiations, diplomatic efforts and sanctions. She said:
We’re not setting deadlines. We’re watching very carefully about what they do, because it’s always been more about their actions and their words.
