US reiterates commitment to Israel's security

WASHINGTON, Feb 21: A top security official from the White House, in a three-day trip to Israel, stressed the importance United States attaches to security concerns there while a top U.S. military official reiterated the need for a diplomatic solution to Iranian nuclear ambitions.

In a communique detailing the trip of National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, the White House said Donilon had “consultations with senior Israeli officials including Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu, Defense Minister [Ehud] Barak, Chief of the General Staff [Benny] Gantz, and National Security Advisor Gen. Yaakov Amidror.”

Addressing “the full range of security issues of mutual concern,” the visit was highlighted as “part of the continuous and intensive dialogue between the United States and Israel and reflects our unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security,” the statement said.

Appearing earlier on domestic television, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff discussed Israel’s relationship with Iran and its potential to prevent Iran from achieving a nuclear weapons capability.

According to a report from American Forces Press Service, Army Gen. Martin Dempsey said, “I think that Israel has the capability to strike Iran and delay the capability of Iran to achieve a nuclear weapons status probably for a couple of years,” adding, “But some of the targets are probably beyond their reach, and of course that’s what concerns them.”

U.S. officials have told the Israelis that “it’s not prudent at this point to decide to attack Iran,” Dempsey said.

“That’s been our counsel to our allies, the Israelis. We also know, or believe we know, that the Iranian regime has not decided that they will embark on the efforts to weaponize their nuclear capability.”

During his recent trip to Israel, Dempsey said he held candid conversations with senior Israeli leaders and reiterated it would be premature to use the military option for Iran while diplomacy is effective.

U.S. officials believe Iran is “a rational actor,” and as long as that is the case, Dempsey said, “we think the current path that we’re on is the most prudent at this point.”