The United States has turned down an Israeli request for the purchase of Boeing 767 refueling planes, fearing the planes would be used to enable the Israel Air Force to attack Iran, Channel 10 News reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, the Bush administration turned down the request during Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s recent visit to Washington.

It appears the White House remain opposed to an Israeli move against Iran prior to President Bush leaving office, and the same opinion was expressed by US Chief of Joint Staffs Admiral Michal Mullen during his recent visit to Israel. The US armed forces commander stated an Israeli offensive against Iran would “destabilize the region”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)