Iran says Israeli threats 'irresponsible,' appeals to UN

Responding to comments from a former Israeli defense official on the possibility of an Israeli strike, Iran has appealed to the United Nations to help curb Israel's aggressive tone.

There has been a great and dangerous amount of war posturing between Israel and Iran quite recently, as the United States talks with its "like-minded" allies on the possibility of more sanctions against Iran. Israel is growing impatient with Washington and has been publicly discussing its military options for months. For its part, Iran has threatened to retaliate against the heart of Israel should any military option materialize. But a recent comment in the Sunday Times from Israel's former Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh inspired formal protests from Iran. According to Sneh, Israel will attack Iran if new sanctions are not in place by Christmas. Sneh's commentary led to a protest letter to the United Nations from Iran's ambassador to the UN, Mohammad Khazaee. "Remarks such as these, stated once in a while by Israeli leaders, are no more than sorry excuses aimed at avoiding supplying answers regarding Israel's nuclear arsenal and deflecting public awareness from the crimes and terror Israel commits in the region," Khazaee said. Israel's military overtures are "irresponsible," Khazaee concluded. The prospects for war in the region have been particularly heightened over the revelation of a second secret underground nuclear facility in Iran. While Iran has agreed to allow IAEA inspectors to survey the enrichment plant on October 25, U.S. President Obama has been working to secure tougher sanctions against Iran. Meanwhile, Iran has been increasing its military cooperation with the Taliban in Afghanistan - supplying weapons and financing to the war effort there. The disclosure of Tehran's growing involvement in Afghanistan may demonstrate the breadth of an attack against Iranian nuclear facilities. The U.S. and Israel and many Western allies believe that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons - a charge the Islamic republic denies.