Israel's Olmert claims Iran building nuclear weapons
Tuesday, 12 Feb 2008 14:52
Ehud Olmert claimed that Iran was engaged in operations to build nuclear weapons
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Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert has claimed that
Iran is engaged in secret operations to build nuclear weapons.
At a news conference in Berlin with German chancellor Angela Merkel, Mr Olmert said: "We are of the view that the Iranians are continuing to pursue their plans to create a capacity for non-conventional weapons.
"Nothing we've seen so far has changed our view in that," he said today.
The prime minister also declared that Israel was sharing information with other countries regarding Iran's apparent nuclear programme.
"This is mainly the challenge of the big powers; Israel inevitably is… very interested in these efforts and we will join forces and cooperate with our senior friends in order to help a possible solution that will deter the Iranians from continuing their programme," Mr Olmert said.
A report from the US intelligence services in December claimed that Tehran had halted its nuclear programme in 2003.
However the Israeli prime minister said: "Tell me, why does Iran need enriched uranium at a time when they are supplied by [the] Russians the nuclear fuel for the civilian projects?
"What else do they plan for which they need the most sophisticated ballistic missiles?"
German chancellor Angela Merkel also stressed Germany's commitment to Israel at the news conference.