Israel attack on Iran unavoidable, says Olmert deputy

Occupied Jerusalem: An Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear sites looks "unavoidable" given the apparent failure of sanctions to deter Iran from pursuing its nuclear ambitions, an Israeli official said on Friday.

"If Iran continues with its programme for developing nuclear weapons, we will attack it. The sanctions are ineffective," Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz told the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

"Attacking Iran, in order to stop its nuclear plans, will be unavoidable," said the former army chief who has also been defence minister.

It was the most explicit threat yet against Iran from one of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's deputies.

Mofaz also said in the interview that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has called for Israel to be wiped off the map, "would disappear before Israel does."

Mofaz's remarks came as he and several other senior members of Olmert's Kadima Party prepare for a possible run for top office should a corruption scandal force the Israeli prime minister to step down.