Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak Still Threatens: Israel Will Not Hesitate to Resort to Military Action Against Iran

Defense chief: Israel not hesitate to resort to military action against Iran

www.chinaview.cn 2008-07-11 00:41:39

JERUSALEM, July 10 (Xinhua) --

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Iran on Thursday in the wake of the Islamic Republic's missile test that Israel will not hesitate to resort to military action.

Terming Iran's action as "a challenge not only for Israel but for the entire world," Barak was quoted by local daily Yedioth Ahronoth as saying that "Israel is the strongest country in the region, and it has proven in the past that it is not afraid to act when its vital interests are threatened."

Barak, also chairman of the Labor Party, issued the strongly-worded warning in an address at the party's Tel Aviv headquarters.

He said the focus now is on sanctions and diplomatic action and Israel should act cautiously. "The responses of our adversaries must be taken into account. Hamas, Hezbollah, the Syrians and the Iranians -- there is activity all around us. And there exists a potential for confrontation."

On the other hand, there is also potential for accords, particularly with the Palestinians and the Syrians, said the defense minister, adding that Israel has a moral responsibility to make the most of any chance to reach an agreement with its neighbors.

Earlier on Thursday, Iran tested more medium- and long-range missiles in the Gulf, including shore-to-sea, surface-to-surface and sea-to-air ones.

Iranian Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad-Ali Ja'afari said the armed forces were testing the accuracy and range of the high-tech missiles.

He said Iran's recent military exercise was a warning to enemies of the Islamic Republic.

On Wednesday, IRGC has successfully test fired new long- and medium-range missiles, including a Shahab 3, which can hit any target within a range of 2,000 km.

Editor: Mu Xuequan

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