Rice: Talk of Israeli strike on Iran ‘unhelpful’

Speculation about a possible Israeli attack on Iran is “not helpful,” the U.S. secretary of state said.

“I think the speculation is not really very helpful,” Condoleezza Rice told the Associated Press last Friday. “Israel is, of course, a sovereign state and we’re not in the habit of telling the Israelis how to defend themselves. However, we’ve said to everybody that this region is very volatile and it’s best — and I think the Israelis have said this, too; Prime Minister Sharon has said this — it is best to resolve this issue through diplomatic means, and that’s where we’re all focused.”

The international community is pressing Iran to roll back its nuclear program. Israel fears Iran’s road to a nuclear weapon could be irreversible as early as March.