Obama Denies ‘Green Light’ for Israeli Attack on Iran

Warned Israel that US Doesn't Want 'Major Conflict'

by Jason Ditz, July 07, 2009

Addressing Sunday’s comments by Vice President Joe Biden, President Barack Obama insisted that the US has “absolutely not” given Israel a green light to launch a military attack against Iran, adding “we have said directly to the Israelis that it is important to try and resolve this in an international setting in a way that does not create major conflict in the Middle East.”

On Sunday, Biden had declared that Israel was “entitled” to launch a military strike on Iran and that the US wouldn’t stand in its way in doing so. Obama did not appear to object to the statement, saying “I think Vice President Biden stated a categorical fact.”

Obama’s denial comes just a day after similar comments from the State Department, and amid growing speculation that Israel, which has refused to publicly comment on the Biden statement, is looking to launch a military attack on Iran after years of threats and posturing.

With Israel’s chief complaint Iran’s civilian nuclear program, the nation’s nuclear infrastructure including the nearly completed power plant at Bushehr would be a likely target. The Saudi government has reportedly approved giving Israel access to their airspace for such an attack, with Bushehr just across the Persian Gulf from the Saudi coast.

Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz