AN ISRAELI CABINET minister said the “civilised world” must take joint action to avert the Iranian nuclear threat, including a pre-emptive strike if necessary.

Moshe Yaalon — the minister for strategic affairs — made the statement in an interview with Russia’s Interfax news agency released today ahead of a visit to Moscow.

“We strongly hope that the entire civilised world will come to realise what threat this regime is posing and take joint action to avert the nuclear threat posed by Iran, even if it would be necessary to conduct a pre-emptive strike,” Yaalon was quoted by Interfax as saying.

Yaalon wouldn’t discuss who might deal the strike, saying the entire world, not just Israel, must be concerned about the danger posed by a nuclear-armed Iran.

“An Iran possessing nuclear weapons would be a threat to the entire civilised world,” he was reported as saying.

Yaalon’s spokesman Ofer Harel told The Associated Press later today that the minister was repeating Israel’s position that all options are on the table and not calling for anybody to attack Iran.

Iran has insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, but the US, Israel and many others believe it is cover for developing atomic weapons.

- AP