Cheney, Peres Warn of Iran's Reach

Following an early Easter prayer service in Jerusalem, Dick Cheney continued his 10-day trip focused on the Mideast peace process by meeting with Israel President Shimon Peres this morning. Both men warned of Iran’s rising influence in the region, reports the AP. "We have this problem of the Iranians who want to build two satellites, the Hezbollah (in Lebanon), and the Hamas in Gaza,” Peres says.

Peres’ office said Cheney was also concerned about Syria’s role in arming Hezbollah and that Cheney saw no intention on the part of Syrian President Bashar Assad to make peace with Israel. Though Peres was optimistic, a Hamas spokesman called the “so-called peace process” “paralyzed and ailing.” This morning’s talk followed Cheney’s bold pro-Israel speech last night. (More Israel stories.)