Israel is concerned about the re-election of hardline Iranian PresidentMahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying it will increase regional tensions andinstability.
Danny Ayalon (file photo)Israel'sDeputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon issued a statement saying theelection results show that Iran will continue its quest for nuclearweapons.
He said that if there was "any shred of hope for change inIran," the election demonstrates the increasing Iranian threat. Ayalonurged the international community to take tougher action to stop Iran'snuclear program and said there should be no dialogue with the IslamicRepublic.
That seemed to be a clear reference to U.S. President Barack Obama's plan to open talks with Iran.
Israeli analyst Dore Gold says so far, Iran has used negotiations with the West to buy more time to build the atom bomb.
"Whenpush comes to shove the Iranians know that they can complete theirprogram and the West is not likely to do anything about it," said Gold."And in the meantime, the Iranian program is going full steam ahead."
Iranian Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, 20 May 2009IranianPresident Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has threatened to wipe the Jewish state"off the map," so his re-election increases the likelihood of anIsraeli pre-emptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.
"Israelcannot allow Iran to acquire an operational nuclear capability, and Ithink Israeli leaders have made that point repeatedly," said Gold.
Israelsays time is running out. Military intelligence says Iran could acquirethe materials and technology to make a nuclear bomb by the end of theyear.
While the United States and Israel believe Iran isdeveloping nuclear weapons, Mr. Ahmadinejad has repeatedly said Iran'snuclear program is peaceful and is aimed at generating electricity forthe people of Iran. He has insisted that nothing will stop Iran'snuclear research.
