Obama warns Iran could spark Middle East nuclear arms race

September 25th, 2009 Egypt warns of Mideast nuclear arms raceUNITED NATIONS — Egypt's foreign minister warned Friday that a nuclear-capable Israel and an Iran pursuing nuclear weapons could trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Ahmed Aboul Gheit said in an interview with the Associated Press that Iran has a right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy but it must be verified.

September 14th, 2009 US worried about Venezuelan arms buildupWASHINGTON — A U.S. official said Monday that Venezuelan arms acquisitions could spark an arms race in Latin America and he also expressed misgivings about the country's possible nuclear ambitions.

July 24th, 2009 Israeli: Iran nuke program could set off arms raceBUENOS AIRES, Argentina — If Iran develops nuclear capabilities it will start an arms race in the Middle East that would threaten the world, Israel's foreign minister said Thursday. Avigdor Lieberman said at the start of his four-day trip to Argentina that "Iran is the biggest sponsor of world terror organizations such as Hamas, (Islamic) Jihad and Hezbollah." "If Iran would achieve nuclear capacity, we'll see a crazy nuclear-armed race in our region that will be a threat not only to Israel but to the rest of the world," he told reporters.

July 2nd, 2009 Obama: Iran cannot be permitted to be nuke powerWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he is "not reconciled" to the idea of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon within a year. The president told The Associated Press in an interview that U.S.

June 26th, 2009 Obama renews criticism of Iran in wake of violenceWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says the United States and Germany "speak with one voice" about the civil unrest that erupted in Iran in the wake of a disputed presidential election. Joining German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House, Obama stated again his belief that the Islamic government in Tehran must "respects the rights and heed the will of its people." Speaking of the violence there, the president declared, "We see and we condemn it." Obama and Merkel were expected at Friday's talks to hold to their differing views on the Afghanistan war and economic policy in the midst of worldwide financial problems.

June 5th, 2009 DRESDEN - US President Barack Obama Friday said the time was ripe to take action to push forward the Middle East peace process. "The moment to act is now," the president told a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after talks in the East German city of Dresden.

June 4th, 2009 Obama acknowledges US history with IranCAIRO — President Barack Obama says the United States will proceed with courage, rectitude and resolve when dealing with Iran. Obama acknowledges the United States' role in overthrowing the democratically elected Iranian government during the last century.

June 3rd, 2009 Israel not going to bomb Iran: FMMOSCOW — Israel does not intend to bomb Iran, Israel's foreign minister said Wednesday in the most explicit comments on the matter by a top minister of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to date. Speaking at the end of a three-day visit to Russia, Avigdor Lieberman also said that other countries in the Middle East and around the world should be concerned about Iran's nuclear program.

June 3rd, 2009 Foreign Minister: Israel not going to bomb IranMOSCOW — Israel does not intend to bomb Iran, Israel's foreign minister said Wednesday in the most explicit comments on the matter by a top minister of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to date. Speaking at the end of a three-day visit to Russia, Avigdor Lieberman also said that other countries in the Middle East and around the world should be concerned about Iran's nuclear program.

June 3rd, 2009 FM says Israel does not intend to bomb IranMOSCOW — Israel's foreign minister says his country does not intend to bomb Iran. Avigdor Lieberman is also telling reporters that other countries in the region and around the world should be concerned about Iran's nuclear program.

May 1st, 2009 Officials say Iran sanctions make more senseWASHINGTON — Using U.S. military might to coerce Iran to halt its nuclear program would yield only temporary results, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday, adding that sanctions make more sense.

April 30th, 2009 Officials downplay military options against IranWASHINGTON — Using U.S. military might to coerce Iran to halt its nuclear program would yield only temporary results, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday, adding that sanctions make more sense.

April 30th, 2009 Officials downplay military options vs IranWASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the military option for forcing Iran to halt its nuclear program would be just temporary and ineffective and that sanctions make more sense. Gates told Senate appropriators Thursday that a military attack on Iran would merely send that country's nuclear program further underground.

April 27th, 2009 Watchdog warns arms transfers to Mideast risingSTOCKHOLM — The volume of weapons exported to the Middle East has risen sharply in the last four years, threatening to destabilize the volatile region further, a leading Swedish think tank warned Monday. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said arms exports to the Middle East increased 38 percent in the period 2004 to 2008, compared with 1999 to 2003.

January 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US president-elect Barack Obama indicated that his administration would move 'swiftly' with new tactics in its approach to Iran to head off the impending nuclear crisis and block Tehran's support of terrorism. Speaking Sunday in an interview with ABC news, Obama said he expected Iran to be 'one of our biggest challenges' when he takes office Jan 20.