Israeli PM for a military strike against Iran: Report

Jerusalem, Nov 2: Israel is mulling a possible military strike to foil Iran's nuclear ambitions with its hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau garnering support within his cabinet for the same, according to a media report here.

Actively supported by Defence Minister Ehud Barak, the Israeli Premier is said to have recently succeeded in persuading ultra-nationalist Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, in support of the strike as they work towards mustering a cabinet majority on the strike, Ha'aretz daily reported citing a senior Israeli official as source.

According to the official, there is a "small advantage" in the cabinet for the opponents of such an attack. Lieberman had been earlier being an opponent of such a measure. Awaiting nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) report to be released on November 8, political leaders in Israel have started arguing over the possibility of a war with Iran.

Leading ministers publicly dropping hints today that Israel could attack the Islamic Republic, although a member of the forum of eight senior ministers said no such decision had been taken. Senior ministers and diplomats said the IAEA report will have a decisive effect on the decision the Jewish state will take in this regard.

The whole debate was sparked by a column written by one of Israel's leading columnist, Nahum Barnea, for the largest circulated daily 'Yediot Ahronoth' under the headline "Atomic Pressure".

PTI