Clinton warns Iran while on visit to Israel

During her recent visit to Israel, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the US will "use all elements of American power" to prevent Iran developing a nuclear weapon. She noted that so far the proposals made by the Islamic Republic to resolve the situation were "non-starters".

Speaking about a number of issues, Clinton said the US was working hard on a new resolution "with consequences" regarding Syria. She also added that she had discussed Egypt with Israel's leaders and said the nations' peace treaty should be honoured.

Addressing a press conference, following a meeting with Israel's President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Clinton said a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear issue would be preferable.

She explained: “The amount of work [for Egypt's leaders] would be daunting for the most experienced political leaders…Iran's leaders still have the opportunity to make the right decision. The choice is ultimately Iran's." Clinton, however, added: "We will use all elements of American power to prevent Iran developing a nuclear weapon."

The latest talks between Iran and six other world powers ended without a resolution. The so-called "P5+1" group - consisting of the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany - want Tehran to suspend the enrichment of uranium to a level of 20%, close down an underground enrichment facility and export its stockpile of 20% enriched uranium.

Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is designed for peaceful purposes only and insists that the West lifts its sanctions, which restrict the country's economic activity.

Speaking about the situation in Syria, Clinton said the US was working hard on a new UN resolution. She also once again called for Syria's President Bashar al-Assad to go, saying "the regime cannot survive".

Clinton made a trip to Egypt ahead of her visit to Israel. Speaking about the situation between the two countries, she said both regional nations shared a strong interest and commitment to their peace agreement.

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, Bloomberg

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Iran unsure about nuclear weapons

According to the head of Israel's military Lt Gen Benny Gantz, Iran is unlikely to develop nuclear weapons. In a statement in Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Gantz said Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had not yet made the final decision about whether to build a nuclear bomb.

Iran maintains that it wants nuclear technology for peaceful purposes only but the West believes Tehran may be developing weapons. In November, the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published a report saying it was unable to "provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran" and that it continued to have "serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme".

A number of world powers have imposed sanctions on Iran, including the US, the EU, Canada, Japan and Australia. These include restrictions on Iran's oil sales, ban countries supplying Tehran with heavy weaponry and nuclear-related technology and a freeze on certain assets, people and companies.

Gantz suggests that Iran is beginning to yeald to pressure, adding that Tehran "is going step by step to the place where it will be able to decide whether to manufacture a nuclear bomb. It hasn't yet decided to go the extra mile".

Additionally, speaking of Khamenei he said: "I don't think he will want to go the extra mile. I think the Iranian leadership is composed of very rational people."

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, is not so confident. In an interview this week, Netanyahu said he would not want to bet "the security of the world on Iran's rational behaviour". He added that Israel would be prepared to take action against Iran to stop it obtaining a nuclear weapon.

For his part, Gantz did also warn that the more the "Iranians progress the worse the situation is. This is a critical year but not necessarily 'go, no-go'. We're in a period when something must happen”. Adding: “Either Iran takes its nuclear programme to a civilian footing only, or the world - perhaps we too - will have to do something. We're closer to the end of discussions than the middle."

Sources: BBC News, Haaretz, Reuters

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.