VIRGINIA - Intelligence and Atomic Energy Minister Dan Meridor has expressed great optimism regarding the ability of a wide coalition led by the United States to prevent Iran from
achieving nuclear ability by means of diplomacy and sanctions.
During a meeting of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on Sunday, Meridor said that this depends on the Europeans acting on their words.
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The minister stressed that the goal can be achieved through consistency and persistence which will make the Iranians realize they could not obtain nuclear weapons.
Meridor said that when the US was strong the Iranians stopped enriching uranium, and when Iran believed the US to be weak they resumed their efforts.
He further stated that should such a coalition exert enough pressure it might succeed in reaching its goal.
Minister Meridor also emphasized that the key to success lies in an international or partial deal. He explained that economic pressure and sanctions don't depend on Russia, which has no interest in seeing a nuclear Iran but in being a partner to shaping the world's future.
Meridor added that the Western countries have enough economic power even without Russia in order to make the Iranians' lives much more difficult.
The intelligence & atomic energy minister warned that should Iran "win this round" it will end hopes for a peace process, seeing as Iran has enough power through Syria,
Hezbollah
and Hamas
in order to disrupt a peace process. He further commented that should Iran be faced with a line it cannot cross, the chances for peace will increase.
During the debate two former army generals: former IDF Intelligence Chief Aharon Zeevi Farkash and Deputy Commander of US European Command Charles Ward estimated that Iran could achieve nuclear abilities by the summer of 2010.
General Ward evaluated that Israel can commence military activity but cannot act alone for long. He estimated that Israel might begin military action and drag the US into the campaign.
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