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. / 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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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.
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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.
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.
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.
.
SheeeEEsh!!
"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".
A definite, glaring, crimson line - nay, BANDEAU - to be ignored at the peril of western civilization as we know it.
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.
But seriously, two or three atomic detonations in the right locations with the right winds would render Israel uninhabitable for many years.
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.