Mofaz: All options on table to stop Iran

Minister heads to Washington for talks within the framework of the Israel-US Strategic Dialogue.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Mofaz 224.88 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
Mofaz 224.88
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
Iran must be prevented from attaining nuclear weapons and all the options are on the table in order to stop this from happening, Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz said late Sunday night. Mofaz was speaking as he headed a delegation on its way to Washington for talks within the framework of the Israel-US Strategic Dialogue. "Teheran leads the axis of evil, poses a threat to the entire world, is up to its neck in the Middle East and is even trying to get a foothold in the West Bank," he said. Nevertheless, Mofaz said he believed the current policy of trying to take "diplomatic steps and impose sanctions" while also readying all other options was correct. The transportation minister expressed his opposition to opening dialogue with Hamas, saying that "one must exterminate terror, not talk to it." He also said Israel should move from a defensive to an offensive policy against the group. On the prospects of peace with Syria, Mofaz stressed that Damascus must detach itself from the axis of evil, saying that ball was firmly in Syria's court. He said he supported transmitting messages of peace to Syria but said this must be done in a "measured and level-headed way." Upon his arrival in the US, Mofaz is set for talks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. In addition to the Iranian nuclear issue, the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and prospects of peace between Israel and Syria are expected to be on the agenda, Israel Radio reported.