Ehud Olmert will urge President Bush to prepare an attack on Iran, an Israeli newspaper reported.
Citing sources close to the Israeli prime minister, Yediot Achronot reported on its front page Wednesday that Olmert, who is due to hold closed-door talks with Bush in Washington, will say that “time is running out” on diplomatic efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear program.
The United States should therefore prepare to attack Iran, Olmert will tell Bush, according to Yediot.
Israeli officials were not immediately available for comment, but pundits voiced skepticism given widespread belief that Bush, in his final months in office, is reluctant to impose another Middle East war on the United States.
Israel has hinted that it could resort to force to deny its arch foe the bomb, but targets in Iran may be too numerous, distant and fortified for the Jewish state to take on alone.
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