Leon Panetta, the US defence secretary, has warned that Israel could attack Iran, possibly as early as April. His comments to a US newspaper come as Western fears grow over Iran’s continuing nuclear programme.
Iran maintains its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes, and although the US and the European Union imposed tighter sanctions on Iran in recent weeks, it remains defiant, warning the West it will retaliate against any oil embargo.
So, has the countdown to an attack on Iran already begun? Would Israel go it alone? And what would the regional implications be?
Inside Story, with presenter Hazem Sika, discusses with Yaakov Katz, a defence analyst and author, and Mohammad Marandi, a professor of political science at the University of Tehran.
“Most Majlis members think there is no need to sell oil to the EU and we don’t need their money. They want to defeat us by imposing the strictest sanctions upon us, but in fact, we will make them pay the price, and the EU will be bankrupt.”
Davood Ahmadi Bighash, a member of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee
Iran is warning the West it will retaliate against the European Union’s oil embargo. The threat comes as talk of a possible Israeli attack on Iran again heats up.
An earlier Washington Post report said US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta believed that there is a strong likelihood Israel will strike Iran in April, May or June.
