Dempsey heads to Israel, likely to talk Iran
JERUSALEM -- The top U.S. military commander is scheduled for talks in Israel this week, Israel said yesterday, at a time when the United States is concerned that Israel might be preparing to attack Iran over its nuclear program.
The Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed the planned visit Thursday by Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. It did not give his agenda for talks with Israelis, but Iran is expected to be at the top.
Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran to be an existential threat because of its missile capabilities, support for anti-Israel militants in Lebanon and Gaza, and frequent references by its president to the destruction of Israel.
Israel has repeatedly hinted it might take military action if international sanctions fail to stop Iran's nuclear development.
The United States, Israel and other Western nations believe Iran is developing atomic weapons. Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Dempsey's visit will be his first official trip to Israel since he assumed command of the joint chiefs on Sept. 30. His predecessor, Adm. Mike Mullen, made several visits to Israel during his four-year term.
President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the Iran situation in a telephone conversation Thursday.
The Obama administration is concerned that Iran's recent claim that it is expanding nuclear operations with more advanced equipment may push Israel closer to a strike.
The United States still hopes that international pressure will persuade Iran to back down, but the Islamic regime shows no sign it would willingly give up a project that has become a point of national pride.
Yesterday, Israeli Cabinet Minister Moshe Yaalon said he was disappointed that the United States has not expanded its sanctions to further damage Iran's central bank and its energy industry.
Last week, an Iranian nuclear scientist was killed in a car bombing in Tehran. There has been no claim of responsibility, but Iran has accused the United States, Israel and Britain of being behind the killing. Several leading Iranian nuclear scientists have been killed in recent years. Israel has not commented publicly on the scientist's death.
