International Herald Tribune
March 10, 2008

President Shimon Peres on Sunday called Iran the world’s “greatest problem” but said Israel would not act on its own against the Islamic nation’s nuclear program.

“Iran is a danger not just for Israel but for the rest of the world, the combination of being a center of terror and developing a nuclear option is the most dangerous you can think of,” he said at his official residence, a day ahead of an official visit France.

Last week, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that Israel has the “might and power” to defend itself against any threat from Iran, indicating a willingness to use military force if necessary against Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Iran has defiantly vowed to continue its nuclear program, despite new U.N. sanctions imposed last week for Tehran’s refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, a process necessary to build an atomic bomb.

Israel has always said it favored a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, and did not see itself taking the lead against Iran. Tehran insists its program is peaceful.

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