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Israel Tells US That Iran
Is Growing Threat

By Adam Entous
7-31-3


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Israeli officials told the Bush administration there was growing evidence that Iran was stepping up support for Palestinian militants following the war in Iraq, people close to the discussions said on Tuesday.
 
Israeli officials also told Washington that Tehran was accelerating efforts to develop nuclear weapons that could strike the Jewish state and other U.S. allies in the region.
 
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon raised the issues during his White House meeting with President Bush, who warned a week earlier that Iran and Syria would be "held accountable" if they supported terrorism.
 
"There are concerns both in Jerusalem and in Washington," one official said.
 
Israeli officials say new intelligence points to Iran filling the void left by Iraq in supporting militant groups including Hamas and Hizbollah, and that Tehran was actively trying to undercut a month-old cease-fire.
 
"It must be made clear to these countries that their evil deeds cannot continue," Sharon said at a joint news conference with Bush.
 
Bush did not mention Iran or Syria, but National Security Council spokesman Sean McCormack said: "Both Iran and Syria need to make a fundamental choice about the war on terrorism and to stop harboring and supporting terrorists and terrorist networks."
 
In building support for the war in Iraq, Bush cited Saddam Hussein's support for Palestinian militants.
 
Israeli officials say new intelligence suggests that Iran was offering $50,000 to the families of suicide bombers -- double the amount paid by the Iraqi president when he was in power.
 
"We also know specifically of Iranian involvement, through Hizbollah and other groups, to undermine (Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas) and to encourage terrorism... and undermine the cease-fire," said one Israeli official involved in the talks.
 
Bush met with Abbas at the White House last week.
 
The United States has accused Iran of harboring members of the al Qaeda network blamed for the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
 
U.S. officials have not ruled out military action to stop Tehran from making nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and denies the terrorism charge.
 
© Reuters 2003. All rights reserved.
 
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=UF4RGDG0AV
KLOCRBAELCFEY?type=worldNews&storyID=3182526

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