The American Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says the United States doesn't think Israel has made a decision on whether to attack Iran over its nuclear program. Mr Panetta said the critical moment for military action hadn't been reached. From Washington, Mark Mardell.
美国国防部长莱昂·帕内塔说,美国认为以色列还未就伊朗核项目问题决定是否袭击伊朗。帕内塔说采取军事行动的关键时刻尚未到来。马克·马维尔报道。
Leon Panetta has just returned from a trip to the region including Israel, and he said he did not believe that Israel had made a decision to attack Iran. Not for the first time there are persistent rumors in Washington and Israel for the attack may be only months or weeks away – a timetable dictated not only by military possibilities, but by America's presidential election. Some believe before the election, President Obama would have to support such an Israeli attack, but if reelected, would have a freer hand – it's certainly not the decision he wants to make now.
莱昂·帕内塔刚完成对包括以色列在内的地区的访问回国,他说自己不认为以色列已决定袭击伊朗。不断有传闻称,华盛顿和以色列几个月或几周后即将实施袭击,这样的传闻也不是第一次。这个时间表不仅取决于军事上的可能性,还要取决于美国总统选举。有人认为在选举之前,奥巴马总统必须支持以色列发动袭击,但如果再度当选,奥巴马就有更多自由权,这个决定肯定不是他现在就想做出的。