Obama: Israel Not Sure About Bombing Iran

President Barack Obama said today he does not think Israel has decided whether to attack Iran over its disputed nuclear program, a standoff that has the Middle East on edge. The president sought to assure allies and foes alike that the United States was working in lockstep with Israel to solve the crisis, "hopefully diplomatically." Obama's comments came as Israel's major allies in the West are working hard to talk it out of a unilateral military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, arguing forcefully that an attack ultimately would only strengthen the regime in Tehran.

Israel fears that Iran is fast approaching a point at which a limited military strike would no longer be enough to head off an Iranian bomb. "I don't think that Israel has made a decision on what they need to do," Obama said during a pre-Super Bowl interview with NBC television. He reiterated that the United States has removed no option from consideration in dealing with Iran—an allusion to military intervention—but emphasized that the United States wants a diplomatic solution built around a world coalition. (More President Obama stories.)