Peres: World needs missile-defense system against Iran

President says Israel needs to expand missiles, all Middle Eastern countries should be concerned about Iran.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Shimon Peres 311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
Shimon Peres 311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
President Shimon Peres said that there should build a missile-defense system to protect the world from Iran, in a Thursday interview with Israel Radio.
He added that the US, NATO and Middle Eastern countries should make building such a defense system their mission.
RELATED:Peres marks Jerusalem Day, leaves for ItalyIran: Renewing Egypt ties would force 'Zionists' to leave
"Every country in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, are in Iranian missiles' range," Peres said.
The president said that Israel has short-range missiles, and should obtain medium-range missiles as well. He plans to discuss the matter during his trip to Italy on Thursday.
Peres flew to Rome to celebrate Italy’s Republic Day, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the country's unification as the guest of President Giorgio Napolitano, whom he hosted in Israel last month.
Together with 80 other world leaders, Peres will witness a colorful military parade, after which he will have lunch with some of Italy’s most important opinion-makers. In the evening he will attend a gala 150th anniversary concert that Napolitano has organized for his guests, and attend a state dinner at the presidential palace.
On Friday, Peres will officially open the Israeli pavilion at the Art Biennale in Venice, and in the evening he will be the guest of the Italian Jewish community.
Greer Fay Cashman contributed to this report