JERUSALEM — An Israeli daily says Cabinet Minister Shaul Mofaz has said Israel should attack Iran if it continues with its nuclear program.
The Yediot Ahronot newspaper quotes Mofaz as saying "If Iran will continue with its plan to develop nuclear weapons, we will attack it."
Mofaz's office did not return a call requesting comment on Friday's report. The daily says that Mofaz has warned that the economic sanctions against Iran are not effective. Yediot reports that Mofaz has said that the United States would back any Israeli attack.
Reuters quotes Mofaz as saying "Attacking Iran, in order to stop its nuclear plans, will be unavoidable."
Mofaz is a former defense minister and army chief. He would like to replace Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as head of the Kadima Party in light of a corruption scandal that threatens to bring Olmert down.
Mofaz, who was born in Iran, responded to calls from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, that Israel to be wiped off the map, by saying Iran "would disappear before Israel does," according to a Reuters report.
Mofaz comments were a rare direct threat against Iran from any official in Olmert's cabinet.
Topic: Report: Israeli Minister Says 'We Will Attack Iran' if Nuke Program Continues (Read 3848 times)