Tel Aviv denies briefing from Washington but Romney stresses Tehran’s nuclear programme threat

By Layelle Saad, GCC GULF NEWS

Dubai: A top US security official has briefed Israel on plans for a possible attack on Iran, according to a report published in the Haaretz daily.

According to the Israeli newspaper, National Security Adviser Tom Donilon sought to reassure Israel that Washington is prepared to act militarily should diplomacy and sanctions fail to pressure Iran to abandon its nuclear enrichment programme.

Haaretz yesterday said that Donilon detailed the plans to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a visit to Israel earlier this month.

A senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity said, “Nothing in the article is correct. Donilon did not meet the prime minister for dinner, he did not meet him one-on-one, nor did he present operational plans to attack Iran.
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The report comes as US Republican candidate Mitt Romney was in Israel on a high-profile visit, meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres and visiting Jewish holy sites.

“Make no mistake: the ayatollahs in Tehran are testing our moral defences. They want to know who will object, and who will look the other way,” Romney said in an excerpt released before his speech.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta is visiting the region this week amid unrest in Syria where he will meet leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan and Israel.

The purpose of the tour is to “strengthen traditional alliances with countries like Israel and Jordan and build strong partnerships with new democratic governments,” Panetta’s press secretary said.