It would be a dramatic and provocative development: Instead of attacking Iran to stop its nuclear program, Israel could simply "eat" its most feared adversary in the Middle East.

In an interview with Haaretz, France Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said that Israel would no doubt "eat" Iran before it developed a nuclear bomb.

"I honestly don't believe that it will give any immunity to Iran," Kouchner was quoted as telling a Haaretz reporter. "First, because you will eat them before. And this is the danger."

Eating Iran might prove difficult.

And, as it turns, out that's not what Kouchner said at all.

After the Haaretz story appeared, Kouchner's office in Paris was forced to release a statement to explain what he said.

"During an interview in English with journalists from Haaretz (I) used the word 'hit' and not the word 'eat' about a possible Israeli response with regard to Iran," Kouchner said in the statement.

Obviously, zere was an error.

Understanding a French accent can be un peu difficile. Hit, sometimes, might sound like "heet," or - eat.

The idea of Israel eating Iran, though, does seem a bit strange on its face.

Perhaps those at Haaretz thought he was speaking metaphorically.

After Kouchner released his statement, Haaretz quietly changed the story.

Kouchner said he regretted any "phonetic confusion."