"There is still time for diplomacy" in Iran issue - U.S. Undersecretary of State Sherman
(All quotes are transcribed from the original English)
MOSCOW. Aug 17 (Interfax) - The United States is not ruling out a possible military strike against Iran in order to force Tehran to stop its nuclear program, but thinks that time has not yet run out for a diplomatic solution to the problem, U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman told Interfax.
"President Obama has said, and he means to say, that although all options are on the table, all options, including the military one, that he believes there is still time for diplomacy. And his strong preference is for a diplomatic solution," Sherman said.
"He has invested a great deal into a dual-track approach which has been endorsed by the P5+1, and that is engagement with Iran, so that they address the concerns of the international community about their nuclear program and continued pressure and isolation of Iran, if they do not in fact come to a solution to address the concerns that all of us in the international community have," the U.S. diplomat said.
"So, the president is committed to that dual-track approach, to a diplomatic solution, but he knows that time is not indefinite, because every day there isn't a solution Iran continues to run its centrifuges, to enrich uranium and to move closer to potentially having nuclear weapons. President Obama has been very, very clear that the United States will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon," she said.
Washington continues working with Tel Aviv in order to persuade it to refrain from a possible military strike on Iran in the near future, she said.
It is understandable "that Israel will make whatever decision it needs for its own security," Sherman said.
"We have tried to talk with Israel and let them know that we still believe that diplomacy still has time, and we hope that Israel will agree," she said.
