Iran targeted Israeli Embassy in Washington, ambassador says

Michael Oren says Saudi diplomat assassination plot also involved plan to attack embassy

16 August 2012, 10:39 am Edit

Michael Oren speaking at an embassy reception in Washington, when he was serving as Israel's ambassador to the US. (photo credit: CC-BY IsraelinUSA, Flickr)

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, said Iran targeted his embassy.

Oren said last year’s alleged plot to assassinate Saudi Ambassador Abel Al-Jubeir at a Washington restaurant also included plans to blow up the Israeli Embassy, WTOP radio in Washington reported Wednesday.

The complaint against Manssor Arbabsiar, who is charged with plotting to assassinate the Saudi ambassador, also states that Arbabsiar “discussed the possibility of attacks on a number of targets. These targets included government facilities associated with Saudi Arabia and with ‘another’ country and these targets were located within the United States.”

Oren told WTOP Wednesday morning that Israel was that other country.

The Israeli envoy also said that his country is considering a massive, crippling attack on Iran before it can move its nuclear facilities to safety deep underground.

Oren said Iran’s Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei can choose to shut down his nation’s nuclear weapons program and “remain in power.”