...as to the horrors on the horizon. First Cheney, now Bush:
President George W Bush added a new twist to the international tension over Iran's nuclear programme last night by pledging to support Israel if it tries to destroy the Islamic regime's capacity to make an atomic bomb.
Asked whether he would back Israel if it raided Teheran's nuclear facilities, Mr Bush first expressed cautious solidarity with European efforts, led by Britain, France and Germany, to negotiate with Iran.
But he quickly qualified himself, adding that all nations should be concerned about whether Iran could make nuclear weapons.
"Clearly, if I was the leader of Israel and I'd listened to some of the statements by the Iranian ayatollahs that regarded the security of my country, I'd be concerned about Iran having a nuclear weapon as well. And in that Israel is our ally, and in that we've made a very strong commitment to support Israel, we will support Israel if her security is threatened."
His comments appeared to be a departure from the administration's line that there are no plans to attack at present and that Washington backs European diplomatic efforts. The remarks may have reflected Mr Bush's personal thinking on an issue causing deep concern in Washington.
(Note: thanks to the various readers who sent instructions on how to delete the annoying ad that had appeared here earlier today!)
UPDATE: More on alleged plans by the U.S. to attack Iran. (Thanks to Bob Seltzer for the pointer.) And more Bush remarks here: "'This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous,' he stated in a press conference at the headquarters of the European Union. But, he added forcefully, 'Having said that, all options are on the table.'" (Thanks to Luke Ledbetter for this pointer.)
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