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US, Israel discuss diplomatic push on Iran

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-01 09:48

WASHINGTON -- US and Israeli officials discussed diplomatic efforts and financial sanctions to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons, the US State Department said on Thursday.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) and Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki (L) are pictured in Tehran on July 29, 2008. Iran on Thursday rejected any deadline to give its final response to a package drawn up by world powers seeking to end the nuclear crisis, and said there should be more negotiations to reach a deal. [Agencies]

The West accuses Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian program; Iran denies it. There has been speculation that either the United States or Israel could attack Iran's nuclear facilities, though both have said force should be a last resort.

The brief statement, issued after talks between senior officials from the United States and Israel in Washington, said nothing about the possibility of using force against Iran.

"The United States and Israel share deep concern about Iran's nuclear program, and the two delegations discussed steps to strengthen diplomatic efforts and financial measures to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability," the statement said.

It gave no details of the measures discussed.

"We also reaffirmed our strong mutual determination to counter Iran's support for terrorism," said the statement, which the State Department said was being issued by both the United States and Israel.

Western powers gave Iran two weeks from July 19 to respond to their offer to hold off on imposing more UN sanctions on Iran if Tehran would freeze any expansion of its nuclear work.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday Iran would press ahead with its nuclear path.

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