November 11, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 29, 1428

JERUSALEM, Nov 10: An Israeli deputy prime minister said on Saturday after a US visit that “all options are on the table” to halt Iran’s nuclear drive, which Israel considers a threat to its existence.

“The strategy for now is one of sanctions, of a united front of nations in that context, and the strategy of declaring without any doubt that all options are on the table,” Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz told public radio.

Israel and the United States accuse Iran of pursuing atomic weapons under the guise of a peaceful nuclear energy programme, charges Tehran has repeatedly denied.

“I think like others that the option of using military force is the last resort,” Mofaz said, but “it’s clear that the opportunity for a negotiated solution is diminishing”.

Earlier this week after a visit by Mofaz to the United States the two countries agreed to appoint two working committees to hone a joint strategy against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

One committee will deal with intelligence on Iran’s nuclear drive and the other with international sanctions, the chief weapon in an effort to convince Tehran to halt uranium enrichment.

“During my talks with the Americans I had the strong feeling that they perfectly understood the gravity of the threat and that they are determined to stop the Iranian nuclear programme,” Mofaz said.

“A nuclear-armed Iran would be a threat to the peace of the whole world and to the existence of Israel, and the world should not accept it.” The next formal discussions between Israeli and US officials on Iran are to be in two months time in Israel.

Israel and the United States are leading the campaign against Iran’s nuclear programme, which Tehran insists is aimed solely at producing electricity for a growing population once fossil fuels run out.

The Jewish state considers Iran its chief enemy after repeated statements by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that Israel should be wiped off the map.

Israel is a member of the UN nuclear watchdog but is not a signatory to its key Non-Proliferation Treaty. It is widely considered to have the Middle East’s sole – if undeclared – nuclear arsenal.—AFP