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Clinton: Iranian Attack on Israel is Attack on U.S.
June 07, 2009 7:27 AM
In her first Sunday show interview since becoming secretary of state, Hillary Clinton said it is "US policy" to treat an Iranian nuclear attack on Israel as an attack on the United States.
This echoed statements from Clinton's presidential campaign in which she proposed that an Iranian attack on Israel would provoke "massive retaliation" and a U.S. response that "would be able to totally obliterate" Iran.
It also echoes Clinton's special envoy for Iran, Dennis Ross, who suggested in his new book, "Myths, Illusions, and Peace: Finding a New Direction for America in the Middle East," extending the U.S. nuclear security umbrella to Israel would strengthen the U.S. hand in negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.
But it's the first time Clinton has made such a declaration in her official role as secretary of state, and the first time extending America's nuclear umbrella to Israel has been publicly declared U.S. policy by the Obama Administration.
In our "This Week" exclusive, Clinton also acknowledged that meaningful diplomatic engagement with Iran would have to come after Iran's June 12 presidential elections, saying that President Barack Obama has not responded to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's congratulatory letter after the 2008 U.S. election because he did not want to be "part of an electoral ploy or propaganda."
--George Stephanopoulos
June 7, 2009 in This Week with George Stephanopoulos | Permalink | Share | User Comments (14)
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Its a shame that George did not ask Clinton about 100+ nuclear bombs Osrael has. Which is a biggest threat, Iran program or ready weapons of Israel. Will USA gie the same gurantee to Iran or PAkistan if Israel attackes them.
Posted by: Oostur Raza | Jun 7, 2009 11:49:52 AM
Don't worry Iran isn't going to attack Israel. More tough US rhetoric which is of course part of the problem.
Posted by: Huh | Jun 7, 2009 12:15:53 PM
What about an Israeli attack on Iran? We all know who is making threats against Iran and we know Iran has never attacked any country for the past four centuries, to say the least.
Posted by: Norm | Jun 7, 2009 2:03:24 PM
At a time when we have a global recession, the last thing you want to do is attacked the fourth largest producer of crude oil. You neo-con warriors are out of touch. Their love for war is stunning and they are never on the frontlines. To them patriotism equals flying the flag in their house.
Posted by: Norm | Jun 7, 2009 2:13:35 PM
Clinton: Iranian Attack on Israel is Attack on U.S.
so we can also say an attack on Iran by Israel is an attack of US on Iran!?
Goerge kept asking if Iran attacks Israel then what, but is seem no one is allowd to ask if Israel attacks Iran then what.
George, for tha last so many years that you remember when did Iran attack any neigboring country?
please be fair.
Posted by: Jeff Olsen | Jun 7, 2009 4:55:31 PM
Iran has in fact attacked other countries by proxy. The U.S. Marines in the Khobar Towers and of course Israel by their Hamas and Hezbollah proxies. Get real, Norm.
Posted by: doug gross | Jun 7, 2009 10:40:47 PM
Well duh obviously we dont want Iran to attack Israel. But what are we going to do about it really? I hear crickets chirping from the left.
Posted by: guesswhaturwrong | Jun 8, 2009 12:16:09 AM
Dear Mrs. Clinton
I heard about your commitment to Israel.
Well, let say it gently, the people in Israel do not really believe you.
I hope you do not know to read Hebrew, The feedbacks in the sites will embarrassed you.
If to be more honest, (like you are). You and your government looked like betrayers.
True. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his government is the biggest enemy of the State of Israel. It is not surprising.
But to see how your best Friend becomes unfaithful is more painful.
Ofer. Israel.
Posted by: Ofer | Jun 8, 2009 9:45:19 AM
Oh Isreal...again, why are you our ally? Please restate our relationship before we get into another war trying to help another country, when our own is full of problems we need to focus on.
Posted by: Jiva Soul | Jun 8, 2009 12:16:11 PM
Stop talking about Iran and start talking about REAL threats to The united states security. Iran is not a threat to Americas security so leave her alone. She is a peaceful country and has attacked no one. The same cannot be said for Israel and the United states who practices terror and death and destruction on a daily basis. Lets talk about the threat from these rogue regimes. Not Iran.
Posted by: Julio | Jun 8, 2009 10:06:12 PM
yes, I'd like to make another comment. She is obviously lying about the nuclear arms race. That is a blatant, terrible lie. Israel has 100+ nukes and there is NO nuclear arms race! This lady has no backbone to stand up to her leaders. India has nukes and pakistan has nukes and it did not spark a arms race. What an atrocious lie. You can see it on her face!
Posted by: Julio | Jun 8, 2009 10:14:02 PM
Israel has never threatened to obliterate any country. Iran stated that its purpose in creating a bomb is to wipe out Israel.The best kept secret is the thousands of Sjiite Muslims that would die in such an attack. Of course, since Iranians are Sunni Muslims the Shiites may be the only group they hate worse.than israel
By the way have all of you forgotten the Iran/Iraq war.
Lastly, Israel hasn't asked the US to save it from Iran. Instead the US has asked Israel not to take action but, in order to advance US foreign policy. If the US let Israel deal with this on its own Israel wouldn't need the US.
I wonder if the posters believe that had the US known about Pearl Harbor in advance they would have permit the attack if asked to do so by another country.
Posted by: steve | Jun 8, 2009 11:30:30 PM
There is some evidence that the U.S. Did know about the attack on Pearl Harbor prior to the attack.
Posted by: Ed | Jun 10, 2009 6:33:40 PM
Great. Mrs. Clinton warns the religious zealot Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This great leader though his writings and speeches hopes to start the apocalypse in order to bring the mahti from the well to rule over an all Islamic world. So, Israel can take comfort knowing that while it will cease to exist and its population wiped out, the Obama administration will respond in kind. Or even more ominous take the issue to the U.N.!
Posted by: pauldia | Jun 12, 2009 9:59:33 AM
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