Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi is currently in the United States for a week of talks centering on the Iranian nuclear program, local daily The Jerusalem Post reported on Sunday.
The visit, to be followed by the one of Defense Minister Ehud Barak in early August, comes amid swirling speculations that the Jewish state is planning an attack on Iran's nuclear sites. The Islamic republic has warned of harsh retaliation if attacked.
During the visit Ashkenazi will meet with Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen, Vice President Dick Cheney and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, as well as top members of the Senate Arms Committee and senior U.S. intelligence officials, said the newspaper.
The talks, the report quoted Israeli officials as saying, would focus on a wide range of regional issues, including Hezbollah and Hamas's military buildup, Syria's continued support of terrorism and the Iranian nuclear program, which would top the agenda.
Both the United States and Israel accuse Iran of developing secretly nuclear weapons under the cover of civil nuclear program, and refuse to rule out the possibility of military actions over the charge which Iran firmly denies. Barak has said Israel will not hesitate to attack once its key interests are threatened.
Meanwhile, Ashkenazi's trip to the United States, which follows Mullen's two visits to Israel in the past seven months, is also intended to strengthen the military relationship between Israel and its strongest ally.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article