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Iran, Israel clashing over nuclear programs |
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By GEORGE JAHN, The Associated Press
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VIENNA, Austria – Israel accused Iran of lying on Sept. 21,while Tehran challenged the international community to send U.N. inspectors to probe its arch-rival’s nuclear capabilities in direct confrontation.
The exchange at the 148-nation meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency came after Iran’s chief delegate Ail Asghar Soltanieh — like Arab delegates before him — said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had acknowledged last year that his country possessed nuclear weapons — something Olmert says he never did. The harsh words came after an attempt by Iran and Arab nations to submit a resolution on "Israel Nuclear Capabilities and Threat" was blocked by the EU, the United States and other Western nations. The conference criticized Israel for refusing to put its nuclear program under international purview, with the United States alone in supporting the Jewish state. Israel also voted against the resolution, while 53 nations backed it and 47 abstained.
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