Stephen C. Webster
Raw Story
June 28, 2010
Has the leader of Italy’s government revealed how the global community plans to handle Iran?
That’s entirely possible, according to a report from Israel which cites Silvio Berlusconi as telling reporters at the G8 summit in Toronto, “Iran is not guaranteeing a peaceful production of nuclear power, [so] the members of the G8 are worried and believe absolutely that Israel will probably react preemptively.”
He added that the G8 nations “absolutely believe” Israel will attack Iran, according to Haaretz.
The claim comes on the same day that the top spy in the United States accused Iran of having nuclear material for two bombs, provided the uranium is further enriched to weapons grade. The process, the CIA said, would likely take at least a couple years.
Even Russia, which has traditionally been an ally of Iran’s civilian nuclear power program, joined the U.S. in condemning the alleged nuclear weapons ambitions. It is exceptionally rare that the Kremlin publicly comments on a CIA statement.
“This information has to be checked but such information is always worrying and all the more so because the international community does not recognize the Iranian nuclear program as transparent,” Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said.
“We are profoundly concerned by Iran’s continued lack of transparency regarding its nuclear activities and its stated intention to continue and expand enriching uranium, including to nearly 20 percent,” a G8 joint statement read.
Earlier this month the United Nations passed stronger economic sanctions against Iran at the United States’ behest. Russia supported the measures, drawing a rebuke from Tehran.
Iran continues to insist its nuclear enrichment efforts are purely for electricity generation.
