Discover Yahoo! With Your Friends

Explore news, videos, and much more based on what your friends are reading and watching. Publish your own activity and retain full control.

To get started, first

YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    A Look at World Leaders' Opinions on Iran Military Strike

    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
    Do you have a story to tell? Become a Yahoo! contributor

    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.

     
    • فسقل  •  Tehran, Iran  •  6 mths ago
      Let me see... hmmmmm, we are the warmakers! In 1980 we were invaded by Saddam and fought him alone! Not a couple of Japanese pilots over one of our shores. The whole Saddam army backed by US, France, Germany, Russia and after 82 even Israel, and we fought him alongside of our borders, buddy. And not for 1 or 2 days but for 8 years. In 1988 the lovely USS Vincennes shot down our Flight over Persian Gulf. Just a question: When exactly were "our" citizen patriots willing to stand watch or take the fight to the enenemy first?

      Thanks
    • Realist  •  6 mths ago
      It is a difficult situation. A military strike may postpone the Iranian effort but they will not stop. Unfortunately, the Iranian people are in a bad spot. They don't like the oppressive regime but are powerless.
      • Jim 6 mths ago
        I think the Iranian people are in a good spot. They have a good President who is brave, and is not a whimp by any means. He stands boldly against big-bullies like the USA and Israel. I hope Iran progresses and develops arms to use in self-defense situations only. Iran is a peaceful nation. It is USA and Israel waging war on everyone.... just think about it. Who since Hitler has gone around the world bombing people but the USA?
    • Graywolf  •  Little Rock, United States  •  6 mths ago
      You know... I wonder why it's always Americas fault... Why don't the Arab League bomb the #$%$ out of Iran... What did the Saudi King say to us... Cut off the head of the snake... Time for the Arab League to police it self in the Middle East and cut off the head of the snake...
      • Jim 6 mths ago
        Since Saudi Arabia and Israel have revealed their alliance, it shows how Israel was involved with the Al Qaeda agents during 9-11. Google "Dancing Israelis". It all makes sense now.....
    • the 3rd degree  •  6 mths ago
      Sarkozy "cannot bear" Netanyahoo, oh dear, still hilarious! Does this make him anti-semetic?
    • Bill Derberg  •  6 mths ago
      All crazy warmongers who want to go to war with Iran should be armed and sent over. Do not send anyone else to die for your stupid wars.
      • Aegis 6 mths ago
        Someday your going to want the service those "warmongers" provide when you have to deal with our enemies on our shores instead of theirs. Then what?
      • Bill Derberg 6 mths ago
        Yeah like Russia attacked us in the cold war? Never happened, complete nonsense. The only one putting us in danger is the out of control empire starting wars everywhere and making everyone hate us. And empires always collapse, what then?
      • Aegis 6 mths ago
        Japanese soldiers attacked Pearl Harbour and Alaska, German spies infiltrated our shores (Rosenbergs), and in the 60's we were about 6 hours away from nuclear war with the soviet union over cuba. Keep sticking your head in the sand and thinking it can't happen. The only reason it hasnt is because citizen patriots are willing to stand watch or take the fight to the enenemy first. And btw, every nation is an empire that is constantly under attack. That fact that you have such an upsurd opinion speaks of the safe and carefree lifestyle you have been sheltered in to develop these ideas.
    • Jimi  •  Waynesboro, United States  •  6 mths ago
      Shame they just can't fight it out on a battlefield..Let them both blow each other up...I could care less,not being Muslim Nor Jewish...To be honest,I do not wanna pay $10.00 for a Gal. of gas,If Iran is attacked,oil goes to $250 a barrel (White House source) any way ya slice it..
      • Jim 6 mths ago
        Consider who is starting the war. The Jews. The Iranians are the underdogs. Jews have 400+ nukes, even some aimed at USA. Iranians have zero. Even if they obtained ten, who cares. We are Iran's friend. They have never attacked the USA, nor do they plan to. We can buy their oil fairly, we need them. What the Hell good is Is-RA-Hell to us though?
    • Aegis  •  6 mths ago
      This is not North Korea. NK was likely guided and encouraged by China for the purpose of increasing chinese strategic defense. As such, China will keep NK on a leash as any nuclear action by their government would by proxy effect China substantially. Iran on the other hand has the worlds 17th largest population (75 MIL) and no counterpart to restrain them. Their leadership is unbalanced, brutal, and has been actively supporting anti U.S. fighters in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have effectively already been in a small war with Iran for the last several years and the deaths of American servicemen and women can be directly tied to these actions. This would not be the same as a war with Iraq or Afghanistan. Combined their populations were still 20 million less than that of Iran. While I believe that Irans initial use of nuclear weapons would be for deterrence; religious zealots in their country could easily use nuclear waste to create and move a dirty bomb into Europe or the U.S. Make no mistake this is a very dangerous game and if Iran is allowed to build these types of weapons then rest assured that other very rich interested parties (EX:Saudi Arabi) with much less stable leadership (This is the family that produced UBL) will aquire it shortly. Our leadership seems fit to (like our financial situation at the moment) delay fixing the problem because it may hurt their future election possibilities. Well ........just like the economic deficit, someday the bill will come due and then what?
    • jtheat  •  6 mths ago
      Appeasing Iran will not work. They don't care about civilian casualties.. (they killed their own pretty readily in the past). They care only about carrying out what they feel is their duty to Islam... and that is destroying Isreal. Everything they are doing now is a smokescreen while they prepare their nuclear weapons. They complain loudly hoping to get time to complete their goal.
    • Nick718  •  New York, United States  •  6 mths ago
      Non of those world leaders matter. When the oil controlling Gulf Sunni Arab states sign on to taking out Iran's growing threat to the balance of power in the region there will be war. It's that simple.
    • Red Herring  •  6 mths ago
      Maybe the Russians have something up their sleeves to stop Iran's program when needed...Stuxnet sure sounds similar to Sputnik!
    • COLDSTEEL  •  6 mths ago
      When Muslims say they are "a religion of peace", why does it feel like A WOLF IS LICKING MY HAND????????????????
      We need to strike them FIRST, and wipe them out..... Only ZERO tolerence towards Muslim Terrorists works.
    • Sporky McCrackin  •  Anchorage, United States  •  6 mths ago
      And Admiral Sporky McCrackin said: Who gives a crap about the ramifications of an attack or how many people die. They have our oil and we need it so lets get on with it.
    • Britney Spears  •  6 mths ago
      These articles are all meant to groom the public and prepare them for what they see as an inevitable battle. And still liberals slumber on thinking that they are anti-war. Wake up fools, this blood is on your hands. Anyone calling me a conservative - well thank you for making the world a dum-ber place.
    • Iran-Immortals  •  6 mths ago
      World Leaders: Club of handful of bullies. Western leaders cannot get in power, until they prove their full obedience to Zio lobby. And if they DARE criticize Israel, they'll lose their job! So pathetic, sad and humiliating... "Leaders of Free World"
    • Mike  •  Nashville, United States  •  6 mths ago
      I've heard refence to the U.S.A. as the most powerfull , the greatest , the strongest country in the history of the world. I've heard it from presidents and other top positions in the U.S. Even when i was much younger , President Bush Senior, not junior used to turn my stomach when he used most powerfull and greatest in referance to my country. Well now don't they set a fine example. Maybe these third world country's who were powerfull way back when , have decided they want some of that self respect. They want weapons of mass destruction too.
      Thanks alot George and the rest of the power mongers who have provoked the arms buildup.
    • Throlas Varquil  •  Columbus, United States  •  6 mths ago
      remember when the world courted Hitler, and believed he would'nt attack Czech, Poland, France, etc. They have made their intentions clear. Find some balls and deal with them. GO ISRAEL!!!
    • Inalabook  •  6 mths ago
      If the rest of the women they call kings and princes from those Arab gulf states would stop hiding under their wives skirts and challenge Iran along with the rest of the free world maybe it might change the behavior of the Iranian leadership. Saudi Arabia and the other gulf states are desperately afraid of a nuclear armed Iran but want the U.S. or Israel to do the dirty deed. This calls for a concerted, combined effort. Countries like Russia and China have too many economic interests with Iran and really enjoy the aggravation it causes the U.S. They also know an Iranian nuclear warhead won't be pointed at them.
    • R  •  6 mths ago
      thier going to get nukes no matter what we do short of invading, so lets plan like they do and target all thier cities,let them know it and give israel the missle to take them out also
    • Inalabook  •  6 mths ago
      Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenie warned there would be serious repercussions.
      No more pistacios for you!!
    • Venutian  •  6 mths ago
      not a whole lot of world leaders speaking up. Gates is not a world leader, but should be. Gates for President 2012. An intelligent and knowledgeable man of sound judgement and humanitarian prinicples.
    [ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['Titanic', 7]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/titanic-anniversary/', ' ', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/b/4e/b4e5ad9f00b5dfeeec2226d53e173569.jpeg', '550', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]
    [ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]
    Loading...
    • Smoke rises into the air from a large forest fire in Gila National Forest, New Mexico

      Santa Fe, New Mexico (Reuters) - A wildfire burned out of control for a fourth day in the steep mountains of southwestern New Mexico on Saturday, one of several blazes that have consumed more than 200 square miles (520 square km) of rugged land in six U.S. states. Efforts to contain the blazes spreading in sparsely populated …

    • MIAMI (Reuters) - Subtropical Storm Beryl moved slowly toward the U.S. southeastern coast on Saturday, threatening heavy rains and dangerous surf for Memorial Day weekend beachgoers in northern Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Beryl was centered about 220 miles east-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, carrying …

    • Snipers sit trained on a real estate office where authorities said a gunman was holding an unknown number of hostages in Valparaiso

      (Reuters) - A Texas gunman who held hostages in an eight-hour standoff with police in an Indiana real estate office suffered three gunshot wounds, including two to the head, a coroner said on Saturday. Police have said he shot himself twice in the head after the standoff on Friday in Valparaiso, about 40 miles southeast …

    • DENVER (Reuters) - The Colorado farm that grew cantaloupes linked to a listeria outbreak that killed more than 30 people last year has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, court documents showed. Jensen Farms of Holly, Colorado, listed $2.1 million in assets and more than $2.5 million in liabilities in documents …

    • (Reuters) - A 21-year-old woman who was shot after she wandered drunk into a Colorado couple's home in the middle of the night will face charges of felony trespassing, her lawyer said on Saturday. Zoey Ripple walked through an unlocked screen door leading into the bedroom of the couple, who said they shouted for her to …

     
    Add your ideas and help make it happen. Join the conversation.
    Should Bill and Donna take on more risk to boost their business?
    How Josh's comment on a Remake America video laid the groundwork for something bigger.