INDIA: Israeli Energy Minister Uzi Landau warns about dangers of a "nuclear capable" Iran following recent attacks on Israeli diplomats abroad

Record ID: 1372135

  • Title: INDIA: Israeli Energy Minister Uzi Landau warns about dangers of a "nuclear capable" Iran following recent attacks on Israeli diplomats abroad
  • Date: 22nd February 2012
  • Summary: NEW DELHI, INDIA (FEBRUARY 21, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI - NO ACCESS BBC) ISRAELI ENERGY MINISTER, UZI LANDAU TALKING TO AN OFFICIAL (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI ENERGY MINISTER, UZI LANDAU, SAYING: "It is disturbing but it's not new. Israel has been under increasing attacks by international terror, much of that under the sponsorship of Iran. Now, Iran by the way, has targeted our diplomats ������� (unclear) lately. It took place in Thailand, where an Iranian passport was found on one of the attackers. It was done so in Tbilisi and it has taken place here in New Delhi. " LANDAU SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI ENERGY MINISTER, UZI LANDAU, SAYING: "That's a matter of concern whatever happened here in New Delhi is that an Israeli diplomat was attacked. Also, three Indian citizens were injured. If there is a terror group here in India attacking Israelis, it may attack others too, including Indian citizens. We do see the investigation which is taking place here in India. We have full faith. We do see level of expertise, vigorous approach by Indian authorities. We are highly thankful for it. We have full confidence that terrorists here will be chased and found. I guess, this is important for the security of the international relations for the development of international economic ties." HAND OF LANDAU (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI ENERGY MINISTER, UZI LANDAU, SAYING: "Just imagine, if this is what Iran allows itself to do whilst it doesn't have at the moment the nuclear capabilities. What kind of Iran will be and what will it dare to do once they have nuclear capabilities. I guess, all democratic countries have to be aware of this increasing threat that casts its shadow." HAND OF LANDAU (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI ENERGY MINISTER, UZI LANDAU, SAYING: "Iran is publicly going on and saying that they are on the way to destroy the state of Israel. They don't hide it. What's for them to just target individual diplomats, it's a small variation on the overall game. Iran is just not involved in terrorism vis-����-vis Israel in Thailand, in Kuwait, in Delhi. They have already used other terror organisations, which they sponsor such as the Hezbollah to put up �������bombings against Israeli embassies as was the case in Argentina twice. Well, they have been intercepted as I mentioned in Turkey. They are highly involved in what's happening in terror in Iraq, in Afghanistan with Al-Qaeda." LANDAU SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI ENERGY MINISTER, UZI LANDAU, SAYING: "In particular, when we come to the Oil market, it's today an open market, it's a free market. If you cannot buy from one supplier, you can buy from many more suppliers. To assume that Iran is indispensable, people in the west don't think this way. They have decided for example, to stop buying oil from Iran, why? Because Iran, in this way, is �������. (unclear) for them. Iran is a terror regime that has to understand that terror has a price that they have to pay and free countries have to stand up and defend themselves." NEW DELHI, INDIA (RECENT) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) MANGLED REMAINS OF THE CAR POLICE OFFICIAL STANDING NEAR THE CAR WRECKAGE DAMAGED PART OF THE CAR LYING ON THE GROUND WRECKAGED REMAINS OF THE CAR ANOTHER DAMAGED CAR
  • Embargoed: 8th March 2012 02:38
  • Keywords:
  • Location: India, India
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Crime,International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA3FNDZ85TIQC96636XU9UTPL4H
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: A senior Israeli official has warned on Tuesday (February 21) of a nuclear-armed Iran after a string of attacks on Israeli diplomats abroad last week.
    Speaking in New Delhi, India, where there was an attempt to bomb staff at the Israeli embassy.
    Georgian police also defused the bomb in Tbilisi, while Thailand said it had uncovered an Iranian squad of saboteurs who had plotted an attack on Israeli interests last Tuesday.
    Israeli Energy Minister, Uzi Landau, blamed Iran for the apparently coordinated attacks.
    "It is disturbing but it's not new. Israel has been under increasing attacks by international terror, much of that under the sponsorship of Iran. Now, Iran by the way, has targeted our diplomats ������� (unclear) lately. It took place in Thailand, where an Iranian passport was found on one of the attackers. It was done so in Tbilisi and it has taken place here in New Delhi," Landau said.
    Iran has denied involvement but Israeli Vice Prime Minister Moshe Yaalon named Brigadier-General Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Quds Force, a covert arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps as the mastermind.
    The incident comes as tensions over Iran's nuclear programme ratchet higher with a visit by U.N nuclear inspectors to Iran this week.
    "Just imagine, if this is what Iran allows itself to do whilst it doesn't have at the moment the nuclear capabilities. What kind of Iran will be and what will it dare to do once they have nuclear capabilities. I guess, all democratic countries have to be aware of this increasing threat that casts its shadow," Landau said.
    Security experts believe the attacks were the first Iranian retaliation for a quietly waged but increasingly bloody campaign of sabotage waged against Iran's nuclear programme.
    At least four Iranian nuclear scientists have been killed in recent years in attacks believed to have been carried out by or for Israel's intelligence services.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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