Israeli President Shimon Peres said he did not believe a war with Iran would be necessary but called for ousting the current government in Tehran, in an interview published Wednesday. Peres told the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was dangerous for Israel and the region but that other means could be used to contain the threat.
"I do not think that a war with Iran is necessary," he said when asked if he supported a military strike against the country. "Ahmadinejad can be deposed by other means. Sanctions have revealed themselves to be a very effective instrument. Sanctions, not war, did away with North Korea's nuclear weapons."
Israel's ex-prime minister said he did not believe the Iranian people wanted to destroy Israel or develop nuclear arms. "The majority is not ready to trade Allah and Mohammed for enriched uranium. Those that, like Iran, threaten the future of humanity have no future themselves. We will survive Ahmadinejad."
