Speaking on ABC News’ This Week program, US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta made it very clear, that a military strike against Iran remains a viable option at this time.

“The fundamental premise is that neither the United States nor the international community is going to allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon,” he said. “We will do everything we can to prevent them from developing a weapon.”

Despite the senior official’s words of assurance, there is increased concern in Israel following recent developments and the opinion of the International Atomic Energy Agency, that ongoing uranium enrichment is connected to Iranian plans for non-military use of nuclear energy, a position that has been rejected by Israeli intelligence analysts a long time ago.

Panetta reminded listeners that while a diplomatic solution to the conflict is always preferable, this is not to say that the military option is not “ready and available”, explaining all the necessary steps to ensure military preparedness have been taken.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)