Germany: Success of strike on Iran unlikely

German defense minister says Israeli strike on Iran will enjoy little strategic success, cause mass political damage

Elior Levi|Published: 02.12.12 , 16:18

Two weeks after US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reportedly said Israel is likely to strike Iran in the spring, German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière said an Israeli attack will be unsuccessful.

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According to the minister, "a success of an Israeli strike on Iran nuclear facilities is highly unlikely and (will cause) obvious political damage." In an interview to the German newspaper Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung, de Maizière said that the European Union believes in the power of sanctions.

The EU-imposed oil embargo on Iran will begin in July.

The German Minister also mentioned that the report on Panetta was not a direct quote. "Panetta didn't say Israel will strike Iran in the spring. I spoke with him. The report was made by a journalist."

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met on Saturday with Hamas prime minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh, who is visiting Tehran. "The world will witness Iran's major nuclear achievements soon" said Ahmadinejad .

Haniyeh met with supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Sunday. In the meeting Khamenei promised Iran's support for the Palestinian resistance. He noted that the recent Palestinian achievements result from the Islamic awakening in the region, as well as the strength of the Palestinian factions.