Concerns Mount That Israel Is Losing Patience on Iran Plan
As the Obama administration doubles down on sanctions, some in Washington worry that Israel is running out of patience with the US, writes Laura Rozen. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and other officials urge patience to see if tough new economic sanctions bring about a diplomatic resolution.
As the Obama administration doubles down on sanctions, concerns are mounting in Washington that Israel is running out of patience with the US approach and may move to strike Iran in the fall.
The White House announced new Iran sanctions Tuesday and Congress neared agreement on new sanctions legislation. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta traveled to Jerusalem — one of a parade of administration officials seeking to reassure the Israeli leadership that there is still time to curb Iran’s nuclear program short of taking military action.
“Right now the Iranian regime believes that the international community does not have the will to stop its nuclear program,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a news conference with Panetta in Jerusalem Wednesday. “This must change, and it must change quickly because time to resolve this issue peacefully is running out.”
Panetta urged patience to see if tough new economic sanctions bring about a diplomatic resolution. However, he said, “if they continue and if they proceed with a nuclear weapon ... we have options that we are prepared to implement to ensure that that does not happen.”
