Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday afternoon, in his Tel Aviv office, met with a delegation of US senators including Mark Udall (D-CO), Richard Burr (R-NC), Mark Warner (R-VA), and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). The senators were accompanied by US Ambassador Dan Shapiro.

Regarding Iran, Defense Minister Barak said, “The recent round of talks in Baghdad proves once again, that Iran is only interested in dragging its feet while attempting to deceive the world. I would like to reiterate [US Defense] Secretary Panetta’s comments yesterday: All options remain firmly on the table.”

Regarding the situation in Syria, Defense Minister Barak noted, “Israel supports the UN Security Council’s condemnation of the atrocities in Syria. The pictures of the children’s mutilated bodies are both shocking and disturbing. We call upon the nations of the world to unite and act immediately to stop the ongoing massacre of innocents.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)