Ariel Sharon, the Prime Minister of Israel, has labeled Iran as the center of global terrorism and stated that after Iraq, Iran should be the next target of global pressure. In an interview with the London Times, Mr. Sharon said Tehran is making significant efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction and poses a threat to Israel, the Middle East, and Europe. Jack Straw, the British Foreign Secretary, acknowledged Mr. Sharon's concerns but warned that targeting Iran could be the worst possible mistake. Mr. Straw stated that Iran is in a transition process and that the best way to ensure the country's progression towards democracy is to engage in relations with it. Ariel Sharon has accused Iran of smuggling weapons to the Palestinian Authority and attempting to incite Israeli Arabs against Israel. According to him, Israel is currently examining the issue of the suppression of Israeli Arabs suspected of conspiracy against the country. Ariel Sharon stated that Israel would retaliate if attacked by Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. He described Saddam as a madman and noted that western Iraq would be one of the first areas attacked by the U.S. because the 1991 Gulf War showed that Iraq targeted Israel from that region.
Ariel Sharon: Iran is the Center of Global Terrorism - 2002-11-05
Ariel Sharon has declared Iran as the center of global terrorism and called for global pressure on Iran following Iraq. Jack Straw expressed understanding of Sharon's concerns but cautioned against targeting Iran. This situation highlights the escalating tensions in the region and the potential for conflict involving Israel and Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Ariel Sharon publicly declared Iran as the center of global terrorism and called for increased global pressure on Iran, following Iraq. Jack Straw acknowledged Sharon's concerns but warned against the potential consequences of targeting Iran.
- Sharon accused Iran of attempting to acquire weapons of mass destruction and supporting terrorism.
- Straw emphasized the importance of engaging with Iran to promote democratic progress.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The early 2000s were marked by heightened fears of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, particularly following the 9/11 attacks.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%