Around the World: Iran

Israel wants 'all' options

Israel dug in its heels yesterday in a disagreement with the US over a potential military strike to thwart Iran's progress toward a possible nuclear weapon, as the visiting American defense chief urged patience. "We clearly believe that no option should be removed from the table," Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said pointedly, following discussions with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Later, in Amman, Jordan, Gates said the US will seek much tougher UN sanctions if Iran spurns the offer of talks on its disputed nuclear program.