U.S. Vice President: We Will Attack Iran If Necessary

Joe Biden, the U.S. Vice President, emphasized America's support for Israel, stating that an attack on Iran is a "risk we may still accept" and added that such an event "will happen if necessary." According to Politico, Biden defended nuclear negotiations with Iran while reaffirming the United States' commitment to supporting Israel at the "Washington Institute for Near East Policy" on Thursday, April 29. Press TV, the English-language satellite network of the Islamic Republic, also reported Biden's remarks, quoting him as saying, "As we pursue the nuclear agreement with Iran, we are also deepening our relations with Israel and other allies in the region." The U.S. Vice President stressed that "an attack on Iran is not simple, minimal, or predictable; however, it will happen if necessary. This is a risk we may still accept to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb." In a tweet, the Vice President stated, "Let’s be clear; no president has worked harder than Barack Obama for Israel's security. This will not change." Officials from the Obama administration have always emphasized that they welcome diplomacy with the Islamic Republic to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, but consider a military attack on Iran's nuclear facilities as a last resort if diplomacy fails. Israel strongly opposes the initial understanding in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the current nuclear negotiations, claiming that a final agreement based on the current process paves the way for Iran to acquire a nuclear bomb. The Obama administration rejects this criticism. The Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post also published more details from Biden's speech. According to this newspaper, Biden rejected the conditions set by Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, regarding a potential nuclear agreement, stating that in such an agreement, Iran must accept inspections of its military facilities and agree that the easing of sanctions will be gradual and phased. Representatives of Iran and the P5+1 group are currently engaged in drafting a comprehensive and final text regarding the controversial nuclear program of the Islamic Republic.