Lieberman to Chinese: We prefer sanctions, but will strike Iran if need be

Foreign Minister says it is up to international community to stop Iranian nuclear program

BEIJING (AP) — Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Friday he told Chinese leaders that Iran poses the gravest danger to world peace and stability.

Lieberman said he told Vice President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in talks Friday in Beijing that Israel hopes negotiations and sanctions can resolve concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. But he said Israel reserved the right to defend itself if such efforts failed and would not take any options off the table.

“We believe the international community is capable of stopping Iran and it’s just a question of will and being firm,” he reportedly said.

Lieberman said China is a key player in such diplomatic efforts but would not comment on the content of Friday’s talks or say if Israel is satisfied with China’s position on Iran.

China calls on Iran to cooperate with U.N. nuclear inspectors, but says the way to proceed is through talks, not sanctions.

Shalom praises SWIFT move

Earlier in the day Vice Premier Silvan Shalom praised the passage of tougher sanctions on Iran, saying Israel has long lobbied for the measure

Shalom told Israel Radio on Friday that “sanctions on Iran were too soft for a long time.”

His remarks follow a move announced Thursday by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication — or SWIFT — that it would block 30 Iranian banks from its global network.

This makes it difficult for Iran to make international money transfers and will likely hurt its vital oil trade.