Peres: Speculation is a deterrent

JERUSALEM, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Speculation that Israel has nuclear weapons serves as a deterrent to the country's enemies, particularly Iran, Israeli President Shimon Peres said Tuesday.

Peres indicated it was important that Israel's enemies wonder whether Israel has a nuclear arsenal, pointing to speculation about what was going on at the Dimona nuclear facility as an example, The Jerusalem Post reported.

"Iran is very dangerous, but there's no need to get hysterical about the threat it poses," Peres said during a meeting with ambassadors and consuls in Jerusalem.

Also, no one knows Israel's true capability of dealing with Iran, he said, adding that Israel's reputation in science and technology makes it easy to imagine Israel can address any situation with Iran properly.