NATO official opposes U.S., Israeli strike on Iran

TEHRAN,Aug.14(MNA)– The commander of the NATO mission in Libya that toppled Muammar Qaddafi’s regime last year said that he vehemently opposes a military strike on Iran at this time, regardless of whether it would be carried out by Israel or the United States. Charles Bouchard, who retired from the Royal Canadian Air Force four months ago, told Haaretz on Sunday that he doesn’t believe Israel would take such an illogical and irresponsible step as to attack Iran without international support. And NATO won’t unanimously support a military campaign against Iran any time soon, he said, nor will the UN Security Council. Iran has warned that any military strike on its nuclear facilities will be met with a crushing response. As a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has the right to develop a peaceful nuclear program. However, the West has so far refused to recognize Iran’s right to uranium enrichment.