Peres' threat to Iran not accidental http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=Peres%27+threat+to+Iran+not+accidental&id=87732
Tuesday, May 9, 2006 (Jerusalem):
Israel's former top military intelligence official said on Tuesday that Vice Premier Shimon Peres' threat that Iran could also be destroyed was not accidental.
"The statement by Shimon Peres highlights the basis of Israeli deterrence and hints to Tehran that it too has a soft belly," said Col. (Ret.) Shimon Boyas, a former head of the Iran department in military intelligence.
On Monday, Peres warned Iran that it could be threatened with destruction if it continued to vow to destroy Israel.
"Be careful with your threats. Those who threaten to destroy are in danger of being destroyed," Peres said.
Air strike
Israel has grown increasingly concerned in recent months by calls from Iran's leader to wipe Israel off the map and its determination to continue its nuclear programme.
In 1981, Israel launched an air strike to destroy an unfinished Iraqi nuclear reactor.
Experts said such a pinpointed strike against Iran would not be possible, because Tehran's nuclear facilities were intentionally dispersed throughout the country, some of them hidden underground. (AP)