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Report: Israel planned to strike Iran during riots
Kuwaiti paper quotes 'US diplomat in Jerusalem' as saying Israel asked Obama administration for green light to attack Islamic Republic's nuclear facilities during country's post-election riots. US reportedly ignored request, causing Israel to back downRoee Nahmias
| Published: | 08.07.09, 15:28 / Israel News |
Israel last month asked the United State for permission to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, Kuwaiti newspaper al-Jarida reported on Friday.
The paper quoted a "US diplomatic source located in Jerusalem", but the report's credibility was not confirmed.
According to the sources, after the opposition riots broke out in Iran following June's presidential election results, Israel asked the US government for a green light to strike the country's nuclear facilities, along with other vital facilities in Iran.
The source added that the Obama administration ignored the Israeli request, that was sent by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with President Shimon Peres's signature as well.
According to the source, Israel was serious about its intentions to attack Iran and hit it hard, but the US's lack of response to the request left Israel frustrated and the operation was called off.
The source also said explained White House's decision to withdraw its recognition of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election, saying, "We were under Israel and Arab pressure to take back our recognition of him.
"There are moderate Arab countries that do not want us to recognize Ahmadinejad."