Israeli Officials Discuss Possible Attack on Iran
Israeli government officials are discussing a possible attack on Iran as a report on the state of the Islamic Republic's nuclear program is set to be released next week.
Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to garner support from officials in his cabinet to go ahead with the attack.
Majorities of ministers are currently against the preemptive strike to end Iran's chances of obtaining a nuclear weapon, fearing the attack could cause an even larger cataclysm, according to a Sky News report.
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Among those who support the attack are Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
"Iran poses the most dangerous threat to world order,” said Lieberman.
The debate has caused a furor in Israel ahead of the International Atomic Energy Agency's assessment of Iran's nuclear potential on Nov. 8.
The assessment is supposed to have a huge affect Israel's decision. Israel wants to solve the conflict peacefully, but it has said it will not allow Iran to acquire weapons capable of threatening its security.
Meanwhile, Iranian military officials warned western nations Wednesday not to provoke the Islamic Republic.
"The Zionist regime's military attack against Iran would lead to heavy damages to the US as well as to the Zionist regime," said Iran's Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Hassan Fayrouz Abadi. Ayatollah Ali Khomeini said Iran would attack Israel in a "surprising way," according to Army Radio.
Tehran also warned the United States about staying in Afghanistan long-term.
On Wednesday, Israel tested ballistic missile from the Palmachim military base.
Barak said in a statement that the test "is an impressive technological achievement and an important step in Israel's advances in the realms of missiles and space, which has been a long time in the planning."
The U.S. has made it clear it does not support Israel taking unilateral military action.
