LONDON, Nov 5: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has called on the international community to target Iran as soon as a planned invasion of Iraq was over.

In an interview with the London-based daily, The Times, Mr Sharon insisted that Tehran should be put under pressure “the day after” action against Baghdad ends because of its role as a “centre of world terror”.

“Mr Sharon also issued his clearest warning yet that Israel would strike back if attacked by Iraqi chemical or biological weapons, no matter how much Washington sought to keep its controversial Middle Eastern ally out of any war in Iraq.”