Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu warned on Sunday, Erev Rosh Hashanah, that Iran was just six to seven months away from the brink of being able to build a nuclear bomb, adding urgency to his demand that President Barack Obama set a “red line” for Tehran in what could deepen the worst U.S.-Israeli rift in decades, reports Reuters.
Taking to the television airwaves to make his case directly to the American public, Netanyahu said that by mid-2013 Iran would be “90 percent of the way” toward enough enriched uranium for a weapon. He again urged the United States to spell out limits that Tehran must not cross if it is to avoid military action – something Obama has refused to do.
“You have to place that red line before them now, before it’s too late,” Netanyahu said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” program, adding that such a U.S. move could reduce the chances of having to attack Iran’s nuclear sites.
The unusually public dispute between close allies – coupled with Obama’s decision not to meet with Netanyahu later this month – has exposed a gaping U.S.-Israeli divide and stepped up pressure on the U.S. leader in the final stretch of a tight presidential election campaign.
It was the clearest marker Netanyahu has laid down so far on why he has become so strident in his push for Washington to confront Tehran with a strict ultimatum. At the same time, his approach could stoke further tensions with Obama, with whom he has had a notoriously testy relationship.
Netanyahu showed no signs of backing off and equated the danger of a nuclear-armed Iran with the Islamist fury that fueled attacks on U.S. embassies across the Muslim world last week and shocked many Americans.
“It’s the same fanaticism that you see storming your embassies today. You want these fanatics to have nuclear weapons?” Netanyahu asked in the NBC interview, in a clear emotional appeal to Americans still reeling from the angry protests sparked by a film that mocked the Prophet Mohammad.
Speaking via satellite from Jerusalem, Netanyahu argued that a credible U.S. ultimatum was needed to curb Iran, which denies it is seeking a nuclear bomb.
“They’re in the ‘red zone,'” Netanyahu said, using an American football metaphor for when a team is close to scoring a touchdown. “You can’t let them cross that goal line.”
Susan Rice, Obama’s U.N. envoy, offered no sign that Obama – who has asked Netanyahu to hold off on any strike on Iran’s nuclear sites to give sanctions and diplomacy time to work – intended to soften his resistance to red lines.
“We will take no option off the table to ensure that (Iran) does not acquire a nuclear weapon, including a military option,” Rice told “Meet the Press,” reiterating Obama’s longstanding position but insisting “they are not there yet.” Read more at Reuters.
{Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}
its tragic that anyone would say that they look forward to this & await for it to come C”V. BUT When a son knows his parents or a Talmid his rebbe’s cheshbon, he never questions them, we had so many years to change our ways before the Melech Malchei Ha’melochim had to bring us to this situation Rachmana L’tzlan.
Halevei if anyone knew the other side of the story & Hashems Cheshbon why this is Happening & why obama is president, then you will not be surprised if obama wins for president another 4 years C”V
may we not need any more tzaros & may mashiach come ASAP
Didn’t we hear this a year ago? It seems how close Iran is to getting the bomb is directly related to how close Netanyahu is to standing for re-election. Shame on him for politicizing the safety of the Yidden in EY.