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Occupied Jerusalem: Leaders of the US House of Representatives said in Israel on Monday that they do not rule out military action against Iran to stop it from acquiring nuclear bombs.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said a "full array of tactics are on the table" in efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Speaking at a news conference at Israel's parliament during a four-day Congressional visit to Israel, she also listed diplomatic and economic options as important components.
House majority leader Steny Hoyer backed Pelosi. "No options should be taken off the table," Hoyer said when asked by Israeli journalists if military action should be taken against Iran.
Both Pelosi and Hoyer are Democrats.
The United States, the European Union, Israel and others suspect Iran is trying to produce nuclear weapons, though Iran insists its program is aimed solely at producing nuclear energy.
The 13-member Congressional delegation was visiting Israel to take part in its 60th anniversary of its founding. The trip, led also by Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam, included meetings with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other Israeli leaders and stops at Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and Jerusalem's Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital. Pelosi took time out Saturday for a quick trip to Iraq.
Pelosi said she does not rule out Israeli-Syrian peace talks. Such negotiations could help pull Syria away from Iranian influence, Pelosi said.
US President George W. Bush told Israeli reporters earlier this month that he discourages the renewal of Israel-Syria talks.
Olmert has said he wants to resume talks with Syria, which broke off in 2000. Olmert said that the two countries have been in contact as part of efforts to reopen the negotiations.
Pelosi visited Israel and other Mideast countries a year ago. In that trip, Pelosi said she relayed an Israeli message to Syria that Israel wanted to reopen peace talks.
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