Barak:
We'll do what we need to do

 
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak
Photo / Jerusalem Post, Marc Israel Sellem

As more and more U.S. officials publicly call on Israel not to attack Iran at this time, Defense Minister Ehud Barak emerged from a two-hour meeting Monday with visiting U.S. National Security Adviser Tom Donilon saying sovereign nations act based on their own perception of their interests.

The U.S.-Israel relationship, Barak said at a meeting of his Independence faction shortly after hosting Donilon, is a relationship between "two sovereign countries, each one responsible in the final analysis for the decisions it takes for itself and about its future." Reports citing unconfirmed sources say that the U.S. is pressing Israel to give more time for international sanctions to work against Iran.

'Israel under pressure from all sides'

Video: John Bolton discusses the situation between Israel and Iran

"Israel is under pressure from all sides. The Americans don't want to be surprised and faced with a fait accompli of an Israeli attack," a senior Israeli official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Ehud Barak has been "summoned" to Washington next week, media reports said, ahead of a visit by the premier himself on March 5 and a planned meeting between Israel's PM and the American president.
U.S. Intelligence Chief James Clapper is scheduled to travel to Israel this week.

U.S. concerned that Ehud Barak is
pushing for Israeli attack on Iran

Video: Former Netanyahu Chief of Staff Naftali Bennett discusses
with Mike Huckabee about Israel taking action against Iran

Visits to Jerusalem by senior U.S. officials this week reflect a growing concern in Washington over the possibility that Israel will decide to attack nuclear sites in Iran. The Americans are particularly worried about the hawkish line that Defense Minister Ehud Barak has adopted on the matter.

They apparently have the impression, however, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to come to a final stance on the dispute.