With the recent UN report claiming Iran is seeking to build a nuclear weapon, speculation has been rising about whether a military strike would be possible.
Here are a few expert opinions on the matter:
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak: Press reports have suggested that Barak and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been attempting to build support for an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, the Washington Post reported. Both leaders deny the allegations, but Barak has said he does consider "all options on the table," a term the Israeli government generally uses to mean "military options."
Former U.S Defense Secretary Robert Gates: Gates told Reuters on Thursday that any military strike against Iranian targets would only force their research into deeper bunkers and provide a minimum delay. Current Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said he agreed with Gates' analysis, but would not exclude a U.S. military strike if it is warranted.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: Along with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian president has warned against any attack on Iran. He told BBC America that there would be "serious repercussions" against the United States if Iran was attacked. Officially, Ahmadinejad continues to deny there is a hostile purpose behind their nuclear program and he dismisses the UN International Atomic Energy Agency findings are "falsehoods."
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe: France remains willing to increase economic sanctions against Iran to further discourage their progress toward nuclear weapons, Reuters reported. France has sent mixed signals over the past week about whether it would consider military options, but has been consistent in encouraging a fifth round of economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle: The German foreign minister told Reuters on Monday that continued speculation about military strikes strengthens the Iranian leadership. He conceded the Iranian right to peaceful use of nuclear power, but categorically denied them of any weapons use. The German government has been non-committal on the question of military strikes.
Russian Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov: Meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Lavrov told Reuters that any strike would involve civilian casualties and increase destabilization in the region. Lavrov said the possible of "unpredicted consequences" was too great and diplomacy should be given the full opportunity to resolve any crisis. Lavrov dismissed a military solution to the Iranian problem completely.
Dan McGinnis is a freelance writer, published author and former newspaper publisher. He has been a candidate, campaign manager and press secretary for state and local political campaigns for more than 30 years.




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