U.S., Israel blast Iran on nukes

WASHINGTON, July 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday the international community would ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.

"We know Iran's intentions, and those intentions are to keep a nuclear weapons development program going," he said after a Washington meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom.

Shalom accused Iran of attempting to develop a new missile that could reach Berlin, London, Paris and southern Russia. Shalom termed the Islamic republic a global threat.

The comments come amid continuing scrutiny of Iran's nuclear program by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog. IAEA Director-General Mohammed ElBaradei is currently in Israel, discussing nuclear issues with the government.

Israel is believed to possess nuclear weapons, but has a policy of neither confirming nor denying the existence of such a weapons program.