Israel Shouldn’t Act Alone on Iran, Panetta, De Maiziere Say

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and German Defense Minister Thomas De Maiziere urged Israel to coordinate its decisions on Iran with allies rather than pursuing military action on its own.

“We have a common cause here with the international community and with Israel in regard to Iran,” Panetta said at a joint media briefing after the two met today at the Pentagon. He cited increasing sanctions “that have made very clear to Iran” that it should “engage with the international community” in the dispute over its nuclear program.

De Maiziere said too much of the public discussion has focused on the possibility that Israel may strike unilaterally, rather than on Iran’s defiance of international demands to curtail its nuclear activities.

“We have to use every opportunity for a peaceful solution,” he said through an interpreter. “I hope that Israel will join the efforts of the international community and will not resort to unilateral action. Germany will also stand by Israel.”

Resuming talks with Iran in the interest of all sides involved, “assuming that those talks are constructive,” Panetta said.