Boasting Iran strike risky: Germany
PRESS TV - Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has warned against “dangerous” consequences of debating about a military strike against Iran, insisting that such efforts would strengthen Tehran's standing rather than weakening it.
"I warn against floating the idea of military options," Westerwelle told Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper.
"These are debates...that strengthen the Iranian leadership rather than weaken it," he added.
"Iran has the right to use nuclear energy for civil purposes but also the duty to exclude a military use," he stated.
Westerwelle's remarks came as the Israeli regime has renewed its aggressive rhetoric against Iran. Israeli President Shimon Peres threatened on Sunday that an attack against the Islamic Republic is becoming "more and more likely."
Tel Aviv's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak are reportedly making efforts to muster a majority in the cabinet to launch a military attack on Iran.
The United States and Israel have repeatedly threatened Tehran with the "option" of a military strike, mainly based on a rhetorical allegation that Iran's nuclear work may consist of a covert military agenda.
Iranian officials have reacted strongly to the American and Israeli provocative war rhetoric, insisting that the Islamic Republic will deliver a crushing response to any military strike against the country.
Iran has maintained that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
In addition, the IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities but has never found evidence indicating that the country's civilian nuclear program has diverted towards a military program.