CBS/AP/ September 11, 2012, 5:29 AM

Obama administration: Israel pressuring U.S. on Iran "red lines" is "not helpful," or "useful"

President Obama meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, March, 5, 2012.

President Obama meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, March, 5, 2012. / AP

(CBS/AP) JERUSALEM - The Obama administration warned Israel on Monday that continuing to pressure the U.S. government to issue Iran an ultimatum over its alleged nuclear weapons program was "not useful" and "not helpful".

Speaking to reporters in Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said "it is not useful to be... setting deadlines one way or another," or to outline "red lines" for how far the U.S. can allow Iran's nuclear program to advance.

She repeated that President Obama has stated unequivocally that the United States will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, and that U.S. support for Israel's security is unwavering.

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Israel, U.S. play diplomatic chicken over Iran

But she said she would not speak about ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Israel, calling such talk "not helpful for the diplomacy."

Her remarks came hours after an Israeli official said Washington's refusal to issue an ultimatum to Iran brings Tehran closer to producing an atomic bomb.

Israel has been pushing for the international community to give Iran "clear red lines" with regard to the disputed program, which Tehran insists is for peaceful purposes only. An Israeli official reiterated his country's position on Monday night, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

"Without a clear red line Iran will not cease its race toward a nuclear weapon," he said.

Israeli leaders have been hinting at a possible military strike to stop Iran from acquiring an atomic weapon. The U.S. says sanctions and diplomacy should be given more time.

Israel sees a nuclear Iran as an existential threat, due to its arch foe's frequent calls for Israel's destruction, its missile program and support for violent groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
24 Comments Add a Comment
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Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals says:
by NoSupremacy September 11, 2012 12:22 PM EDT
Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals-

I Googled the term, as you suggested. Yours was a nice reach for one possible interpretation. It just happens to be incorrect.


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Complete BS - you ARE Hasbara. You're an apologist, and simply distract by flinging "Nazi" insults at everyone.
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Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals says:
by NoSupremacy September 11, 2012 1:34 PM EDT
Hardly an "outlaw regime".

Only in your mind is it that the US is Israel's only friend.

Careful what you wish for.

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I know EXACTLY what I wish for - that the US wash its hands of the criminal regime of Israel.

Jews? No problem. The Israeli government? CRIMINAL.
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skyiscrying says:
Sorry kids, Mommy and daddy won't be coming home for another 2 years because those crazy neocons assist we stay in the Middle East until forever.
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lami987 says:
There is nothing wrong if Iran develop their nuclear program for peaceful purposes. U.S. has to make sure thats what is going on. Israel is not to be trusted. They lie all the time. Israel fabricated Iraq's Weapon of Mass Destruction, we were foolish enough to go to war because of that. What did Israel contribute to the war? Nothing just more lies. Now its Iran's nuclear weapon program. I hope Obama administration is smarter then our previous one. If Israel want to fight Iran, go ahead do it themselves. Israel has no friendly neighbor for a reason.
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Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals says:
by NoSupremacy September 11, 2012 10:33 AM EDT

Start your own blog and attract your own audience, instead of using CBSnews's for your propaganda and proselytizing.

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You should REALLY take your own advice.

.
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Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals replies:
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Thanks for proving my point so completely, NoSoup.

SheeeEEsh!!
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stopoil says:
Thinking Iran with nukes is not a threat to the USA is burying your head in the sand to far you almost have reached China. Iran supports a wide network of terrorists who see the USA as the number one target, the "Great Satan" that Islam has to conquer. The is completely separate from the issue of Israel.
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Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals replies:
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NoSoup -

"Your US money"???

Thanks for PROVING you are Hasbara.

Anyone who doesn't know what Hasbara is should certainly Google it, and also Google "Hasbara handbook".
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flavia47 says:
To-day's little IAEA gambit of new 'intel' on Irani computer-modelling the effects of prophylactics and tinfoil on nuclear warhead effectiveness couldn't be too helpful either.

A definite, glaring, crimson line - nay, BANDEAU - to be ignored at the peril of western civilization as we know it.
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Achimaatz says:
(CBS/AP) VIENNA - Diplomats say the U.N. atomic agency has new intelligence that Iran has advanced its work on calculating the destructive power of a nuclear warhead, a step toward building such a weapon. 09/11/2012

The current administration has ignored many other obvious signs and focuses on what will maintain it in the election polls. If the completion of the hardening of the Iranian nuclear sites occurs prior to Nov. 6, Israel will have to take action without US participation. If the hardening occurs after the election, then the US participation will depend on who is elected. The "red line" that Israel desires will be similar to that effected when Reagan achieved the presidency. The obvious analogy: Obama = Carter, Romney = Reagan. The Iranians have the luxury of waiting until the election results are final before making any concessions. This situation, although similar is some respects to the previous US-Iranian mess, differs greatly: Israel will be enslaved via Iranian nuclear weapons if Iran is not stopped BEFORE the weapons are manufactured. Once assembled, the nuclear warheads can be hidden almost anywhere and ready for use on a missile in a few hours.
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flavia47 replies:
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With three carrier strike groups, and a ton of airforce, marines and army units deployed in the UAE are nearby bases "concessions" seems to be an inane turn of phrase.
Achimaatz replies:
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I should have included the other obvious analogy: White House Honey Ale = Billy Beer.

But seriously, two or three atomic detonations in the right locations with the right winds would render Israel uninhabitable for many years.
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BWB2020 says:
Let Israel take care of themselves, our soldiers are not pledged to defend other countries, and our money is not supposed to be spent protecting anyone but ourselves.
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tsigili says:
Obama has no intention of doing anything about Iran.
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BWB2020 replies:
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@tsigili and joesapper

You suckers want to pony up the tax money and lives to pay for a military incursion, go ahead, but do it out of your own pockets, and with your own lives, while the more sane of us do better things with our money and our people.
oldsoftee replies:
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Anything "immediately military", you mean?
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