By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Tel Aviv: Israeli President Shimon Peres has said he believes a military strike against Iran is a more likely option than a diplomatic solution to the country’s nuclear standoff.
“Intelligence services of various countries understand that time is running out and they are warning their leaders,” Peres said in an interview with Israel’s Channel 2 Friday, adding: “I am not sure that conclusions have not been made.”
“It would seem that Iran is getting closer to having nuclear weapons,” Peres said. World leaders need to “fulfill their responsibility” to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power “whether that means serious sanctions or whether it means a military operation,” he added.
Peres’ remarks came following Israeli media reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was seeking his ministers’ support for a military operation against Iran.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has dismissed the reports as “absolutely unacceptable” and “harmful for the country.”
Tensions are mounting against Iran ahead of a crucial report on the country’s nuclear programme to be presented by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) next week.
Western powers suspect Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons under the guise of peaceful energy generation, a charge Tehran denies.