Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to speak today at the United Nations and is expected to set an ultimatum for Iran on its nuclear program and risk an attack by Israel, Reuters reported.
Netanyahu has threatened to preemptively strike Iran in the past despite reluctance from war-weary world powers that have instead opted for sanctions and negotiations. U.S. President Barack Obama spoke to the UN earlier this week and did not set a deadline for Iran to end its nuclear ambitions, much to the disappointment of Israel, Reuters reported.
A senior Israeli officer told Reuters, "The prime minister will set a clear red line in his speech that will not contradict Obama's remarks. Obama said Iran won't have nuclear weapons. The prime minister will clarify the way in which Iran won't have nuclear arms."
Iran has repeatedly denied that it is seeking to build nuclear weapons and instead claimed that it wishes to enrich uranium for "peaceful purposes." According to Reuters, Iran has said it does not plan to enrich uranium past 20 percent purity need to run a reactor producing medical isotopes. A 90 percent enrichment level is needed for bomb fuel.
The debate over attacking Iran has strained the relationship between the United State and Israel, even causing some accusations from the U.S. that Israel is interfering with the November presidential election. Netanyahu has denied the accusations.
An Israeli official told Reuters, "The prime minister will say that Israel and the United States can work together to achieve their common goal."
Netanyahu headed towards New York on Wednesday and told reporters he would stand for an Israel "united in the goal of preventing Iran from achieving nuclear weaponry," Reuters reported. Most Israelis, however, are not so eager to enter war with Iran fearing the survival of the country and alienation of Washington.
Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke to the General Assembly earlier this week and said that Israel would eventually be "eliminated." Ahmadinejad also refused to refer to Israel by name, instead referring only to the "Zionists."
Despite its threats, Israel would have a hard time delivering lasting damage to Iran's remote facilities, Reuters reported, and would also have difficulties handling a multi-front war.