Olmert won't rule out attack on Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he cannot rule out an attack against Iran, which much of the world believes is trying to develop a nuclear weapon.

Olmert said Iran's repeated threats to destroy Israel are absolutely criminal.The prime minister's comments are contained in an interview to be published in Der Spiegel magazine Sunday, ahead of Olmert's planned meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, The Jerusalem Post said.

On Friday, Olmert reportedly told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the U.N. Security Council should sanction Iran if it continues to ignore demands to halt its nuclear development program.

Olmert also told Der Spiegel that he is prepared to hand over large sections of the West Bank to the Palestinians, believing that will allow a real peace accord.

A prime minister should not make promises that he cannot keep but my message is clear: I am prepared to give up regions, Olmert said.