Defense Minister Ehud Barak stated on Wednesday that time was running out to stop the Iranian nuclear program before Teheran manufactures an atom bomb. He called for extremely stern sanctions, total isolation of the Iranian regime, adding other measures must be contemplated in the event the sanctions do not achieve their objective. He warned against complacency, stating the clock is ticking and there is not a great deal of time remaining before it will be too late to act.

Barak’s comments were prompted by the ceremony held in Iran on Wednesday, marking the completion of the nuclear facility in Bushehr, marking the inauguration of the facility. He stated the evidence gathered by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the ceremony in Bushehr on Wednesday are more than adequate evidence to compel the free world to act immediately, calling upon the United States to lead the effort.

“We view the continuation of the Iranian nuclear program as an existential threat to Israel, nothing less,” stated Barak. “We feel sanctions are required now but we are not taking any option off the table and this should be the position of the international community as well. We mean what we say” concluded the senior minister.

Barak turned to the Russians and called on them to act to stop Iran’s nuclear program, well-aware that the deal signed with Russia for its nuclear technology made the nuclear program possible. Barak stated it is most difficult to imagine that international sanctions will prove successful without Russian cooperation, and perhaps the Chinese and India too.

During Wednesday’s ceremony in Bushehr, senior officials in the Iranian nuclear program announced “good news will be forthcoming on April 9th” regarding the nuclear program.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)