“Possible Israeli strike on Iran is the lesser of two evils”

A potential Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear objects will, of course, destabilize the Middle East, but acquiring nuclear arms by Tehran would lead to a lot more trouble, says political analyst Mitchell Barak.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has urged Iran to respond by September to offers of a diplomatic solution to its nuclear program.

His Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak indicated military action on Iran was still possible after a meeting between the two in Jerusalem.

The Gates visit is part of a US drive to revive stalled Middle East peace talks. Earlier, US envoy George Mitchell met Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak for talks, as well as Syrian President Bashar Assad.