US Vice President Joe Biden with Israel Defence Minister Ehud Barak in Washington, DC.
AFP/Washington
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak warned Iran that Israel would never allow Iranian leaders to develop a nuclear weapon, as he addressed a powerful US-Israel lobby.
“It is Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear capability which is the greatest challenge facing Israel, the region and the world today,” Barak told thousands of delegates at the opening of the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on Sunday.
World powers leading negotiations with Iran to rein in its suspect nuclear programme concluded talks in Kazakhstan last week, after putting forward a proposal to Iranian leaders to halt their uranium enrichment.
But Barak, stepping down as defence minister as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu draws up a new cabinet, cast doubt on whether the negotiations, due to resume later this month, would have any success.
“Frankly, while exhausting all diplomatic means is understandable, I do not believe it will lead to a moment of truth when Iran will give up. Therefore, all options must remain on the table,” Barak said.
Some 13,000 people are expected to flock to the three-day event being held at the Washington Convention Center.