Washington: Still awaiting for the investigations results into attack on a Israeli diplomatic
vehicle in New Delhi early this week, the United States on Friday
said that it would not be surprised if an Iranian link is
identified in such an attack.
"We are still awaiting the results of the various
investigations that are underway, and we are in contact with
all of those governments," State Department spokesperson
Victoria Nuland told reporters at her daily news conference.
"But, no definitive conclusions although, as we said
yesterday, it wouldn`t surprise us," Nuland said responding to
a question if the US has found any Iranian link into these
attacks, as is being alleged by Israel.
A motorcycle-borne assailant had stuck a bomb on a car in
which an Israeli embassy employee was travelling that exploded
injuring her and others in New Delhi.
"What I would say is that with regard to this bombing,
the incidents in Delhi, incidents in Georgia, while we will
await the results of the investigations, these events do come
on the heels of other disrupted attacks targeted at Israel and
Western interests, including an Iranian-sponsored attack in
Baku, Azerbaijan, and a Hezbollah-linked attack in Bangkok,
Thailand, before this," she had said early this week.
Meanwhile, the US and Germany expressed concern over the
increasing tension between Iran and Israel, with both urging
Tehran to meet its international obligations.
"We view the developments with great concern, but I also
believe that maybe the focus of the discussion is too much on
Israel and not enough on Iran, because Iran is the recipient
of sanctions, and the sanctions, which were also brought about
with the assistance of Germany, are currently as strong as
never before," visiting German Defence Minister Defense Thomas
de Maiziere said.
At a joint media availability with US Defence Secretary
Leon Panetta, Maiziere said there are also indications for new
talks.
"I think we have to use every opportunity for a peaceful
solution. That is to say I hope that Israel will join the
efforts of the international community and will not resort to
unilateral action," he said.
"Germany would also stand by Israel. What this means in
concrete terms will then remain to be seen," he said in
response to a question.
Reiterating the American position that there is time and
space for diplomacy, Panetta said but in order for that to
happen, Iran has to meet its international obligations.
It has to join the international community, and it has to
engage in a sincere and constructive way to achieve a
diplomatic resolution, he noted.
"We`ve made very clear that we will not tolerate their
(Iranians) having a nuclear weapon. We`ve made very clear that
they should not close the Straits of Hormuz," Panetta said.
PTI
