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February 20, 2012

U.S. and British Officials Urge Israel to Back Off on Iran Attack 
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Top U.S. and British officials publicly urged Israel on Sunday not to
attack Iran over the country's disputed nuclear program. In separate
interviews, Gen. Martin Dempsey, chair of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of
Staff, and British Foreign Secretary William Hague said an Israeli
attack on Iran would have grave consequences for the entire region. Gen.
Dempsey appeared on CNN.

Gen. Martin Dempsey: "I think it would be premature to exclusively
decide that the time for a military option was upon us. I mean, I think
that the economic sanctions and the international cooperation that we've
been able to gather around sanctions is beginning to have an effect. I
think our diplomacy is having an effect, and our preparedness. I mean,
fundamentally, we have to be prepared. And that includes, for the most
part, at this point, being prepared defensively."

Dempsey's comment came as the Obama administration and the Israeli
government continue to engage in intense talks over Iran. A delegation
headed by U.S. National Security Adviser Thomas Donilon arrived in
Israel on Saturday. James Clapper, the director of national
intelligence, will travel to Israel later this week. On Sunday, Iran's
Oil Ministry announced it is halting oil shipments to Britain and
France.



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