UAE leader says Iran will go if Israel hit

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- If Iran attacks Israel with nuclear weapons, retaliation is inevitable, the prime minister and vice president of the United Arab Emirates predicted.

Sheik Mohammed bin Rashi al-Maktoum downplayed fears of a nuclear Iran in an interview on CNN, saying Tehran would find the ultimate weapon of little use.

"What can Iran do with a nuclear weapon? … For example, will they hit Israel? How many Palestinians will die? And you think if Iran hits Israel, their cities will be safe? They will be gone the next day," the sheik said.

"I don't believe Iran will develop a nuclear weapon."

The UAE lies across the mouth of the Persian Gulf from Iran, with some 50 miles separating the two countries.

A report published by the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research has warned the Islamic Republic will become a full-fledged nuclear power by 2013, Ynetnews.com said.

The report warned efforts by the West to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons will probably fail and suggested the United States will lead "an international effort to contain Iran and deter the Islamic Republic from using its nuclear weapons capability," the Web site said.