Dempsey: ‘I didn’t tell Israel not to attack’

The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff denied Tuesday advising Israel against an attack on Iran.

Speaking to the Senate Budget Committee, Gen. Martin Dempsey said that the US and Israel have discussed “the time issue,” regarding Iran’s nuclear program, but denied telling Israel it should not attack.

Dempsey also defended his statement about Iran being a rational player, saying that although the US doesn’t accept everything Iran does, it’s recent actions fit those of the last 30 years, which “have a pattern.” He added that the Iranian regime is “a dangerous one.”

Tensions between Iran and Israel have ramped up over last few months over signals that Jerusalem is considering using military force to stop Tehran’s nuclear program.

A series of visits from senior US officials to Israel and return visits of Israeli military and intelligence personal to Washington, have all presumably been focused heavily on Iran, with the reported common theme of an American administration asking Israel to give sanctions on Iran a chance to work.

Earlier this month, Dempsey told CNN that Iran was a rational actor and the US was not convinced Tehran was pursuing a nuclear weapon.