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Monday, April 18, 2005

"Comments by officials of the Zionist regime are not worth an answer," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said. "The Zionist regime is not eligible to express any ideas since it is the source of tension, crisis and trouble in the region."

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He said Israel's actions show that the Jewish state is opposed to peace and security in the region and is instead intent on destroying regional trust.

Last week, Sharon said Israel would not mount a unilateral attack on Iran's nuclear infrastructure and called instead for an international coalition to deal with it.

Sharon alleged that Iran was only months away from solving technical problems toward building a nuclear weapon. He said Tehran should be prevented from acquiring such arms.

Israel, an arch foe of Iran, has its own arsenal thought to include about 200 warheads deployed on ballistic missiles, aircraft and submarines, according to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Israeli officials do not comment on the country's nuclear weapons potential.

The United States and Israel suspect Iran of using its once-covert nuclear program to produce weapons and want it shut down.

Washington and Jerusalem are also keen to refer Iran's nuclear case to the U.N Security Council, in a bid to impose economic sanctions. Tehran says its nuclear technology is meant only to produce electricity.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said last week that going to the United Nations to try to stop an Iranian nuclear weapons program remains an option but the administration is not giving up on European allies seeking a negotiated solution.

France, Britain and Germany have been negotiating with Iran, seeking guarantees it won't use its nuclear program to make weapons.

Iran hopes to reach a compromise that allows it to resume its long-sought enrichment activities.

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