'Israel rehearses attack on Iran's nuclear facilities'

[Yusuf]

'Israel rehearses attack on Iran's nuclear facilities'

Washington: US officials say Israel carried out a large military exercise this month that appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, The New York Times reported on Friday.

Citing unidentified American officials, the newspaper said more than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighters took part in the maneuvers over the eastern Mediterranean and Greece in the first week of June.

It said the exercise appeared to be an effort to focus on long-range strikes and illustrates the seriousness with which Israel views Iran's nuclear programme.

The newspaper said Israeli officials would not discuss the exercise.

A spokesman for the Israeli military would say only that the country's air force ''regularly trains for various missions in order to confront and meet the challenges posed by the threats facing Israel,'' according to the Times.

A Pentagon official who the Times said was briefed on the exercise, said one goal was to practice flight tactics, aerial refueling and other details of a possible strike against Iran's nuclear installations and long-range conventional missiles.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a second goal was to send a clear message that Israel was prepared to act militarily if other efforts to stop Iran from producing bomb-grade uranium fail.

''They wanted us to know, they wanted the Europeans to know, and they wanted the Iranians to know,'' the Pentagon official said, according to the Times.

''There's a lot of signaling going on at different levels.''

Several US officials told the newspaper they did not believe Israel had decided to attack Iran or think such a strike was imminent.

The UN Security Council has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Iran for defying council demands that it suspend its uranium enrichment program, which could be used to make fuel for power plants or atomic weapons.

Iran has refused to buckle to the sanctions and has spurned previous offers of economic benefits to suspend its uranium enrichment, which it says is to produce fuel for electrical power plants rather than for nuclear weapons.

Iran said on Thursday it was ready to negotiate over a new package of economic incentives put forward by major powers seeking to persuade Tehran to curb its nuclear work.

[Deltacamelately]

I seriously doubt that the Israelis would singlehandely try to takeout the Iranian nuclear Installations. Specially when there is no US backing nor is the US totally disillusioned with the diplomatic efforts.

A power play tactics at the most.

[bengalraider]

wouldn't they have to overfly Iraq or Syria in order to get to Iran , well unless uncle Sam turns a blind eye over Iraq i do not see them launching a preemptive strike

[King Six]

wouldn't they have to overfly Iraq or Syria in order to get to Iran , well unless uncle Sam turns a blind eye over Iraq i do not see them launching a preemptive strike

That wouldn't go so well with the already turbulent Shia community in Iraq, it would set back all those years of work. It would also justify Iran officially starting a Nuclear program for defence needs (how much you want to bet they actually want to be attacked by Israel), it'd probably start a proper war.

So yeah, Unless they fly around the Arabian Peninsula, or Saudi grant them access (didn't they grant access for Osirak? They flew over the Saudi Desert and even dumped their fuel tanks in it), it's pretty hard to pull it off.

I doubt it'll actually happen.

[Stan187]

nor is the US totally disillusioned with the diplomatic efforts.

I wouldn't be too quick to say that. Our officials just don't think they can afford to launch as strike and continue our progress in Iraq at the same time. US representatives are still lobbying for sanctions and all that even though they know it is not working because they are saving face, since we are not yet committed to doing what needs to be done.

[Stan187]

wouldn't they have to overfly Iraq or Syria in order to get to Iran , well unless uncle Sam turns a blind eye over Iraq i do not see them launching a preemptive strike

Well, we've seen it done not too long ago.

[1947]

'Israel rehearses attack on Iran's nuclear facilities'

Washington: US officials say Israel carried out a large military exercise this month that appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, The New York Times reported on Friday.

Citing unidentified American officials, the newspaper said more than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighters took part in the maneuvers over the eastern Mediterranean and Greece in the first week of June.

It said the exercise appeared to be an effort to focus on long-range strikes and illustrates the seriousness with which Israel views Iran's nuclear programme.

The newspaper said Israeli officials would not discuss the exercise.

A spokesman for the Israeli military would say only that the country's air force ''regularly trains for various missions in order to confront and meet the challenges posed by the threats facing Israel,'' according to the Times.

A Pentagon official who the Times said was briefed on the exercise, said one goal was to practice flight tactics, aerial refueling and other details of a possible strike against Iran's nuclear installations and long-range conventional missiles.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a second goal was to send a clear message that Israel was prepared to act militarily if other efforts to stop Iran from producing bomb-grade uranium fail.

''They wanted us to know, they wanted the Europeans to know, and they wanted the Iranians to know,'' the Pentagon official said, according to the Times.

''There's a lot of signaling going on at different levels.''

Several US officials told the newspaper they did not believe Israel had decided to attack Iran or think such a strike was imminent.

The UN Security Council has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Iran for defying council demands that it suspend its uranium enrichment program, which could be used to make fuel for power plants or atomic weapons.

Iran has refused to buckle to the sanctions and has spurned previous offers of economic benefits to suspend its uranium enrichment, which it says is to produce fuel for electrical power plants rather than for nuclear weapons.

Iran said on Thursday it was ready to negotiate over a new package of economic incentives put forward by major powers seeking to persuade Tehran to curb its nuclear work.

And my petrol prices keep going up.
Attacking Iran now is a bit too late and can be be a lot more volatile.
given the fact that the facilities are up and running and petrol prices.
the best non-violent solution would be to force Iran out of the weapons program (if it is actually still running) is through Russia china and India.

[Yusuf]

Isrealis will fly straight over Iraq bomb the nuke sites and come back unopposed. America will turn a blind eye and also provide intel on it, although the Mosad would have things worked out and also have the targets painted.
Rhetoric by Ahmedinejad also doesnt help when he keeps announcing more and more about the enrichment program.
Air strike is a real possibility if diplomatic efforts rather sham efforts fail.

[edmx]

Isrealis will fly straight over Iraq bomb the nuke sites and come back unopposed. America will turn a blind eye and also provide intel on it, although the Mosad would have things worked out and also have the targets painted.
Rhetoric by Ahmedinejad also doesnt help when he keeps announcing more and more about the enrichment program.
Air strike is a real possibility if diplomatic efforts rather sham efforts fail.

Then what? Iran revenges w/ SRBM, US comes in, NATO comes in, and then Russia and China backs Iran...welcome to WWIII.

[Yusuf]

Then what? Iran revenges w/ SRBM, US comes in, NATO comes in, and then Russia and China backs Iran...welcome to WWIII.

Israel will be prepared for any retaliation from Iran uing SRBMs. They have ABMs in place. Also using their spy sats they will be able to see if any birds are being fuelled and take apt measures.
I dont think Israel will be interested in widening the conflict. It will limit it to the objective of taking out the nuke sites

[Officer of Engineers]

Then what? Iran revenges w/ SRBM, US comes in, NATO comes in, and then Russia and China backs Iran...welcome to WWIII.

There is no evidence that either Russia nor China backs Iran militarily other than through sales.

[Stan187]

There is no evidence that either Russia nor China backs Iran militarily other than through sales.

As you've said about China's relationship with Pakistan, I'm sure China and Russia are only willing to fight down to the last Iranian, even then not quite so, since if there was no more Iranians, who'd give them all those plush weapon contracts to fulfill.

[Sumku]

Israeli attack on Iran

Oh Dear God!, Please no. I already am not able to afford my Car.
Oh Dear Good Gracious God, please have some pity on me.

[Yusuf]

Oh God! Please keep the nukes away from rogue nations.Amen

[Stan]

If you think you cant afford you car in india where pretrol prices are sopme of the lowest in the world, i would love for you to try and run a motor in london.

I wish isreal would do it and quick!