Mofaz on Iran: We won't allow a second Holocaust to occur

"Israel will not let a second Holocaust happen," Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz said Friday in regard to Iran's nuclear weapons program, which he said poses an existential threat to the state of Israel.

Mofaz's statements came during a speech at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy Friday, in which he also called for further diplomatic efforts including sanctions, saying "we believe that the main direction must be diplomacy," before adding that "all options are on the table" for bringing an end to the program.

The Deputy PM said Iran was well on its way to having a nuclear weapon, and that "as soon as 2010 (Iran) will have the option to reach (uranium production) at military levels."

Mofaz was quick to point out that Israel's problem is not with the Iranian people, and told listeners of his childhood in Iran.

"I was born in Iran and I came to Israel at the age of 9. The Iranians are a very kind people, but they live under an extremist regime...This does not come from the Iranian people, but from the Iranian leadership."

Mofaz also told listeners about Israel Radio's Farsi-language show which is broadcast in Iran. Mofaz offered an anecdote from one of the times he was on the program and spoke to Iranian callers.