Strike on Iran not subject of public discussion - Israeli Defense MinisterNovember 20, 2011 - 15:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has refused to say whether Israel is planning a preemptive strike on Iran. “I don't think that is a subject for public discussion,” Barak said in an interview due to air on CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS program on Sunday, Nov 20, when asked whether Israel is going to attack Iran. “But I can tell you that the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] report has a sobering impact on many in the world, leaders as well as the public, and people understand that the time has come,” he said. Western powers and Israel suspect Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons. Iran denies this, saying its program is of a civilian nature. Speculation has been building that Israel is considering a preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. “People understand now that Iran is determined to reach nuclear weapons. No other possible or conceivable explanation for what they have been actually doing. And that should be stopped,” the Israeli defense minister said. The IAEA Board of Governors on Friday passed a resolution on Iran, drafted by a group of international mediators, by a 32-2 vote with one abstention. The resolution, sponsored by the Iran Six, including Russia, the United States, China, Britain, France and Germany, urges Iran to provide access to its nuclear facilities for UN experts and cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog. The Iran Six has been trying since 2003 to convince Tehran to halt its uranium enrichment program, according to RIA Novosti. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |