At a press conference on Friday, Stephen Harper stopped just short of backing Israel’s possible strike against Iran. While Harper asserted Israel’s right to self-defence and potential attack – by Israel – on Iran’s nuclear facilities, he stressed that a peaceful resolution should take priority.
Frank Costanza’s interpretation of ‘stopping short’
In the face of escalating tension between long-time foes Iran and Israel, Harper was playing host to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Ottawa. This visit served as a political scene-setter before “Bibi” heads to Washington for strategic talks on Iran next week.
Harper did not force Netanyahu to relinquish the possibility of a unilateral strike against the threat posed to either Israel’s survival – or global stability – by Iran as a nuclear power. Instead, Harper nudged towards diplomacy, with a side of caution.
“We want to see a peaceful resolution of this issue, and we want to see every action taken to get a peaceful resolution of this situation,” said Harper, at a joint press conference with Netanyahu. “We of course recognize the right of Israel to defend itself, as a sovereign state, as a Jewish state.”
Read more: Iran’s Nuclear Timeline
According to Netanyahu, Iran is now “feeling the pressure” of economic sanctions, and he and Harper discussed the likelihood of reviving talks with Tehran. Both Prime Ministers were unwilling to disclose a timeline or limit for how long they plan to engage with Iran through diplomacy.
As for the American stance, the U.S. has warned an Israeli strike against Iran would be premature. Still, Netanyahu is looking for a pledge of commitment from Obama that the U.S. will strike once Israel’s weapons have reached their maximum range or utility to minimize the Iranian threat.
Previously, Netanyahu said the possible pre-emptive strike on Iran would be to support, “[the] freedom of action of the State of Israel in the face of threats to wipe us off the map.”
Tensions between Iran and Israel are especially high at the moment, even crossing over into the entertainment world. Earlier this week, an Iranian film, A Separation, won the Best Foreign Film Oscar over Footnote, an Israeli film, the country’s first; and state television in Iran dubbed this as a symbolic victory against Israel.
Read more: Toronto Standard’s review of “Footnote”
Read more: Toronto Standard’s review of “A Separation”
In response to heightened tension and fears of nuclear retaliation or armament, Netanyahu argued that he suspects time is running out before Iran has an arsenal of nuclear weapons — a “hinge of history” that would “threaten the world.”
“I think there’s agreement right now from the main powers that Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, and that all options should be left on the table to ensure that that doesn’t happen,” said Netanyahu.
Obama and Netanyahu will meet in Washington on Monday to further discuss this matter.
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Joanna Adams writes the Morning Cable, and lots more, for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at †@nowstarringTO.
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