Cameron: No justification for Israeli strike on Iran at this point
British PM tells NBC tougher sanctions may lead Tehran to take ‘different path,’ but warns that UK, US ‘don’t rule out taking action’
Yitzhak Benhorin
„I don’t think as we stand today that military action by Cameron told NBC earlier this week regarding the treat of a nuclear Diplomats: US issued ultimatum to Iran via Russia
Speaking to NBC’s Brian Williams at Number 10 Downing Street, the British premier said he was a „friend of Israel” and that Israel has a „right to exist as a democratic state.”
Cameron, who is visiting the US, added that „It’s very, very important it (Israel) knows it has strong allies like America, like the United Kingdom, but I don’t support action now because, frankly, we’ve got more road to run in putting in place sanctions and putting in place tough measures against the regime and saying to them they need to take a different path.
Cameron with Obama during US visit (Photo: Reuters)
„They (Iranians) can have civil nuclear power. If they give up the ambition of having military nuclear power, they can have a future as a country that has more normal relations with the rest of the world. We need to keep up the pressure to encourage them to make the right choice,” he said.
According to Cameron, the preferred course of action at this juncture would be „massive pressure” on Iran. However, he stressed that Britain and the US don’t rule out taking action.
„But that’s not where we are right now. Right now, turn up the pressure. Get the Iranians to think again,” he said.
Asked by Williams whether the Iranian nuclear crisis was tougher to deal with „when the Israelis say this is about us, about our existence,” Cameron replied: „I completely understand why the Israelis feel as strongly as they do. I feel strongly. I do not want to see an Iran with a nuclear weapon.
„This is, of course, about Israel and the Middle East because a nuclear weapon (could fall in the hands of a) state that wants to wipe Israel off the map. Countries that don’t have nuclear weapons would want to acquire them. This is about our own security,” he told NBC’s Williams.
„There are risks that Iran would have the capabilities to attack further. I’m quite clear this is in our interest that Iran doesn’t have a nuclear weapon. That’s why with allies, we are piling on the pressure. We always work together, always will.”
US President Barack Obama made similar
