JERUSALEM, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama reiterated Wednesday that Iran
should be prevented from obtaining nuclear weapons, saying a nuclear Iran would
be a game changer.
"A nuclear Iran would be a game-changing situation,
not just in the Middle East, but around the world," Obama told reporters at a
press conference in the rockets-stricken town of Sderot in southern Israel.
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate
Senator Barack Obama pauses during a ceremony in Janusz Korczak Square at
Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, July 23,
2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
"A
nuclear Iran would pose a grave threat, and the world must prevent Iran from
obtaining a nuclear weapon," stressed the U.S. senator, adding that he would
"take no options off the table" in order to achieve that goal.
Asked about his previously stated notion of having
talks with Iranian leaders, Obama said "we should exhaust every possible avenue"
on Iran, dealing with the issue with "carrots and sticks."
Israel's President Shimon Peres (R) and
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama deliver joint
statements to the media in Jerusalem July 23, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters
Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
If Iran rejects the offers, explained the U.S.
presidential hopeful, then "we will be in a stronger position" to call on the
international community to respond collectively against the Islamic republic.
Israel, the United States and some other countries
accuse Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons, but Iran denies the charge,
insisting that its nuclear program is only for civil purposes.
Accompanied by Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni
and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Obama also repeated his "unshakable commitment
to Israel's security" and urged the Jewish state and its Palestinian neighbor to
achieve true, lasting peace.
The candidate, who arrived here late Tuesday as part
of a week-long overseas tour, is to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
later Wednesday, following a series of talks with Israeli and Palestinian
officials, before he heads for Europe early Thursday.
TEHRAN, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that Iran will not make any concession in the
country's nuclear rights, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
Ahmadinejad made the comments in a speech during a visit
to the southwestern province of Kohgilouyeh and Boyer Ahmad on Wednesday. Full story
WASHINGTON, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The United States
reiterated on Wednesday its hope that Iran would provide a positive answer to
international offers, and suspend its controversial nuclear activities.
"If they do not, the international community is united
that more sanctions are coming," U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon
Johndroe said. Full story
