Israel’s Barak says world can’t afford to wait too long to see if Iran backs down

Israel warns against giving Iran too much time

WASHINGTON — Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak says the world can’t afford to wait too long to see if Iran backs down on its nuclear program.

In a news conference with Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Tuesday, Barak said he supports the U.S. focus on tougher economic sanctions against Tehran. But he added that only time will tell to what extent sanctions are effective in persuading Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions.

Barak says that if the international community waits too long, Iran could acquire a nuclear weapon that he says would “change the landscape,” and not just of the Middle East.