Mixed signals: Obama "absolutely" denies OK for Israel to hit Iran

[Israel Insider]

Speaking to CNN from Moscow on Tuesday, US President Barack Obama responded "absolutely not" when asked whether his Administration had issued a flashing green light for Israel to strike Iran's nuclear facilities, contradicting the words of vice president Joseph Biden, who two days earlier told ABC television that the US would not stand in the way of an Israeli military action against the Iranian nuclear program, adding that it is up to Israel as a sovereign nation to decide "what's in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else."

Obama also acknowledged that "We can't dictate to other countries what their security interests are" - but insisted that it is his Administration's policy to try and resolve the issue "through diplomatic channels," adding: "We have said directly to the Israelis that it is important to try and resolve this in an international setting in a way that does not create major conflict in the Middle East."

The mixed signals from Washington suggest that a sharp difference of opinion appears to have developed between Obama and his VP on the Iranian nuclear question.

With Obama's poll numbers plunging, his economic policies failing, and his foreign policy increasingly subjected to ridicule, Biden may be creating some distance from his boss.

When Iran's post-election street protests reached their peak in the third week of June, Biden chided Obama for being over-cautious in condemning the Islamic regime for its violent suppression.

Yesterday another key administraton voice weighen in. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, warned that a military strike to thwart Iran's nuclear weapons capability could have grave and unpredictable consequences.

A senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Uzi Arad, said the back-and-forth was an American message toward Iran, rather than Israel, noting that Biden also said in the interview, "If the Iranians respond to the offer of engagement, we will engage."

"My understanding of what Biden said is that the second part is the interesting part - not that Israel is sovereign to act, but that he said the United States acts differently. Essentially, he distinguished himself from Israel," Arad said. "What was important for him was to transmit to the Iranians that we, the United States, are different."

Arad said Obama's quick rebuttal was meant to clarify that the United States was still interested in engagement - despite prospects for dialogue - and was not suggesting that his administration would not stand in the way of an Israeli strike.

"The president felt the need to correct the impression that Biden's comments made," he added.

[diadem4Him]

Even MSM's have finally been publishing Bammy's lowered numbers of supporter approval, albeit they publish this at the times of lowest readership like week-end afternoons. Over here in North America there is a lot of news to follow, but that isn't what the Bammy-bought MSMs are putting out Mr. Alexander. The fact remains that both Bammy and Biden pulled a snow job on many Jews and Israel supporters and everyone is finally starting to see through the stupidity of those who still believe! The gangsters have taken over the US government and you can just sit back and watch what happens as more and more look beyond your foot stomping tantrums and see the truth for what it is; an arab-backed liar usurper masquerading as someone who cares has infiltrated the Presidency and is actively working to ruin this government along with it's allies. His activity in Honduras has further exposed him and the public grows more aware daily! Better step up those "painful" claims of yours ten-fold if you hope to stop the landslide that's coming from the armies of citizens that don't appreciate it one bit!

[Alexander]

"The mixed signals from Washington suggest that a sharp difference of opinion appears to have developed between Obama and his VP on the Iranian nuclear question."

What mixed signals? Biden said that the US isnt in charge of Israels security? How can that possibly be interpreted as a "green light" to attack Iran?

"With Obama's poll numbers plunging"
I follow the news rather closely over here in North America, and this is the first I've heard of this?

"his economic policies failing"
The US economy has had gains every month, how are his policies failing?

This article is so opinionated and fact deprived that it hurts.

[Robert Bernier]

Why is it important for Israel to be the first to strike?
Iran only needs one nuclear-tipped missile to get through and Tel Aviv, along with most of Israel’s west coast with 70% of her population, most of her industry and her international airport will be obliterated or eventually killed by radiation. I suspect that only then would Washington move and send body bags and food to the survivors – or something like Georgia. And if there will be one nuclear-tipped missile striking Israel, Iran will not hesitate to strike immediately also the rest of the world as can be understand by reading : http://xrl.us/orpxu

[Robert Bernier]

Decisions for the security of Israel should be taken in Jerusalem not in Washington.
Today the U.S. is doing everything it can to restrain Israel from hitting Iran’s Nuclear facilities – despite Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s frequent promises to “wipe Israel off the map”. Israel will not be allowed to refuel in or fly over Iraq (despite control by American forces) because the Arabists in the State Department say “No!” There is no argument that Israel can offer in terms of her vulnerability that will change their collective mind-set to allow Israel to defend herself. In order to understand the immediate danger to Israel : http://xrl.us/bizzs