Italy: World won't support Israel attack on Iran

Italy's foreign minister Franco Frattini says the global community will not support an Israeli attack on Iran, describing such a move as 'catastrophic'.

"If Israel launches an attack on Iran the international community will not support it because such attack would be catastrophic," the Italian news agency ANSA quoted Frattini as saying, according to IRNA.

Tel Aviv has never ruled out the possibility of a military strike against Iran, which is accused by the US, Israel and some European countries of aiming to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of its civilian nuclear program.

While categorically denying the allegations, Iran says it has the capability to ward off any attack on the country and has stressed that an Israeli strike would meet a 'decisive' response from Tehran.

The UN nuclear watchdog in its previous reports has also confirmed that Iran enriches uranium-235 to a level "less than 5 percent."

Uranium, the fuel for a nuclear power plant, can be used for military purposes only if enriched to high levels of above 90 percent.

Frattini noted that Israel is doubtful about success of the nuclear talks between Iran and the major powers but "the international community believes another chance should be given to Iran.”

Some Western countries are mulling over tougher sanctions against Iran if an agreement is not reached.

On September 23, Frattini also said that the G-8 countries would support a US policy of giving Iran a chance to negotiate over its nuclear program.

"What has emerged ... is that G8 partners believe that we are to support the policy of the United States President Obama to give Iran a chance ... (but) on the substance, we want to reaffirm that time is running out," Reuters quoted the top Italian diplomat as saying.