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U.S. Considers New Message on Iran

(Wall Street Journal) Carol E. Lee and Jay Solomon - Complaints from Israel about the U.S.'s public engagement with Iran have pushed the White House to consider more forcefully outlining potential military actions, and the "red lines" Iran must not cross, according to people familiar with the discussions. Israeli officials have been fuming over what they perceive as deliberate attempts by the Obama administration to undermine the deterrent effect of the Jewish state's threat to use force against Tehran by publicly questioning the utility and timing of such strikes. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recently conveyed his concern that comments by senior U.S. officials have cast Israel as the problem, not Iran, and only encouraged Tehran to press ahead with its nuclear program by casting doubt over the West's willingness to use force. "The Israelis are unnerved," said Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), one of five U.S. senators who had lunch with Mr. Netanyahu last Tuesday in Jerusalem. "They think the administration is sending the wrong signal, and I do too." President Obama and Mr. Netanyahu will meet in Washington on March 5.
2012-02-28 00:00:00
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