US presidential hopeful Mitt Romney tells Israeli newspaper that military action against Iran very likely

The Israel based Haaretz newspaper quoted the Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney as saying that the state of Iran is the biggest threat to the world.

Romney, who is currently undertaking a visit to Israel ahead of his presidential campaign, also reiterated that he supports Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. In addition to Israel, Romney is also visiting Poland and the United Kingdom.

Romney once again argued that it is essential to prevent Iran from getting hold of nuclear weapons. He said a nuclear Iran can endanger the very existence of Israel and the United States. He also claimed that armed radical groups like Hezbollah can acquire the nuclear weapons from Iran, leading to chaos and regional instability. Romney added that a military strike will be the last option, in case the sanctions and embargoes do not force the Iranians to abandon their nuclear ambitions.

Romney also claimed that a nuclear Iran will be much more dangerous than a nuclear North Korea. He said that the United States is aware that the North Korean officials are passing on nuclear technology to the Assad regime of Syria, but stated that the US will exercise restraint as long as the militant groups fail to get hold of the data.

Romney criticized both Russia and China for vetoing the US backed resolution in the UNSC. He claimed that Russia is indirectly playing a part in the ongoing genocide at Syria, by providing attack helicopters to the troops loyal to the embattled president, Bashar al-Assad. Romney urged the regional allies of the US, especially Turkey and Saudi Arabia, to play a more active role in the Syrian uprising.

Romney, who is considered much more hawkish than the current American president Barack Obama is the Republican contender to the president’s post to the elections being held on November 6, 2012. Defence analysts warn that his victory in the election can lead to resumption in tensions with nations such as Russia and Iran.