Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Can and should Israel destroy Iran's nuclear facilities?
Dan Miller's Blog ^ | April 5, 2015 | Dan Miller

Posted on 04/05/2015 12:18:36 PM PDT by DanMiller

It has been suggested that Israel should seriously consider destroying Iranian nuclear facilities, but Israeli officials obviously haven't said, and won't say, if, how or when she might.

Iran fenced in

Speaking to Arutz Sheva Friday, Professor Efraim Inbar, who heads the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, said the deal had realized Israel’s worst fears by leaving Iran’s nuclear program essentially intact.

The Islamic Republic’s nuclear program has been granted “legitimacy” by the agreement, which still allowed it to continue enriching uranium and to maintain a reactor capable of producing enriched plutonium, he said. “And that’s what worries Israel, that they (Iran) will be able within a short time frame to reach a nuclear bomb.”

“I hold the view that the only way to stop Iran in its journey to a nuclear bomb is through military means,” Inbar maintained, suggesting that “Israel needs to seriously consider striking a number of important nuclear facilities” to head off the threat.

On March 28, former U.S. Ambassador Bolton said that it should be done.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThAs0uMkXlE]

Video link

The P5+1 nuclear "deal," proudly announced by President Obama on April 2nd, is a sham. There is no "deal," and public announcements by Iran and Obama cast it in very different lights. According to Iran, all sanctions will be lifted immediately when an agreement is reached on or before June 30th. According to Obama, sanctions relief will be gradual and based on Iran's compliance with invasive inspections and other conditions. Even National Public Radio (NPR) has pointed out differences. NPR observed that, according to Iran,

all sanctions relief - U.N., EU and U.S. - would be immediate. It was unequivocal. It stated that Iran under the deal was free to pursue industrial scale enrichment to fuel its own reactors - unequivocal. It stated that Iran was unhindered in its ability to conduct centrifuge R&D.

Iran has also emphasized that its intention to destroy Israel is non-negotiable, and the Obama Administration has rejected any efforts to make Iran recognize Israel's right to exist, on the ground that

“This is an agreement that is only about the nuclear issue,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters on Friday night, according to Fox News. “This is an agreement that doesn’t deal with any other issues, nor should it.” [Emphasis added.]

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that Israel's right to exist is non-negotiable.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdbeeeeU2ws]

Video link

Iran is very unlikely to retreat from its perception of the "deal," Obama is very likely to retreat in Iran's favor, and Israel is very unlikely to retreat from its perceptions about Iran, the "deal" or Israel's right to exist.

What should Israel do?

In Martin Archer's novel Islamic War, which I reviewed here, Israel dispatched elderly, large and substantially refurbished remove controlled aircraft, full of high explosives, from Somalia to half dozen nuclear facilities operated by hostile nations. They flew circuitous routes at varying altitudes to avoid detection until it was too late to stop them. Over a period of weeks, they crashed into and destroyed their targets, amid speculation about who had done it and why. Israel was not suspected. Would that have been possible then? Now? I don't know.

It has been reported that Saudi Arabia has given Israel clearance to use her airspace for an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Fox News reports that US Defense sources claim the Saudis are conducting tests on their air defense systems after giving Israel permission to to enter a narrow corridor to shorten the distance to attack Iran.

The testing would make sure that Saudi jets don’t get scrambled when Israel entered Saudi airspace. Once the IAF planes complete their mission and exit Saudi airspace, Saudi defenses would go back online again. [Emphasis added.]

Might Saudi Arabia, Egypt and perhaps other Gulf States go beyond not interfering with an Israeli attack to provide air support and other help? They seem to be as displeased with the "deal" as Israel is.

Assuming that Israel is not overly concerned about being identified as the attacker and is willing to act alone, she might:

Detonate one or more high-altitude atomic bombs to emit sufficient electromagnetic pulses (EMP) to fry all above-ground Iranian electronics. That would substantially disable Iranian above-ground command and control facilities as well as other communications, hence diminishing (but not eliminating) the possibility of counter-strikes by Iran and/or its proxies. Perhaps she has other, non-nuclear, means of generating EMPs; she hasn't said.

Immediately thereafter, drop whatever suitable bombs she may have on all Iranian military and nuclear facilities. Does Israel have bunker-buster bombs? Probably not of U.S. manufacture, but that does not mean that she has not developed her own. It would be surprising if she had not.

Obama and other "leaders of the free world" would complain and the U.N. would emit fits of angry censures. However, that happens with great frequency in any event, and would be an insufficient reason for Israel to commit national suicide through inaction against Iran.

I am no "military expert" and would appreciate any comments on the suggestions I have made as well as any other suggestions anyone might care to offer.


TOPICS: Government; Military/Veterans; Politics
KEYWORDS: attack; iran; israel; nukes; waronterror
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-26 next last

1 posted on 04/05/2015 12:18:36 PM PDT by DanMiller
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: DanMiller

They did it Syria, they can do it in Iran.


2 posted on 04/05/2015 12:24:16 PM PDT by Fungi (Evolution: no science, no truth, no nothing. Full of faith, faith in the "god" of chance.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fungi

A clever plan to destroy the whole system—OR decapitate the Government—A clever plot to stimulate an anti-Mulla uprising—Put the Old Kings Son back on the Thrown. One Nuke could do the Job.


3 posted on 04/05/2015 12:26:55 PM PDT by Forward the Light Brigade (Into the Jaws of H*ll Onward! Ride to the sound of the guns!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: DanMiller

Absolutely. we are sorry our President doesn’t have the balls to do it.


4 posted on 04/05/2015 12:27:31 PM PDT by bikerman (2015 new motto--- slugs for thugs.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bikerman

This ‘President’ is already busy destroying our nuclear capabilities.


5 posted on 04/05/2015 12:29:58 PM PDT by Radix ("..Democrats are holding a meeting today to decide whether to overturn the results of the election.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: DanMiller

Yes, Israel could and should bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities. Israel should not do this until a Defense Alliance has been
secured between several other countries, such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. I presume Bibi has people devising elaborate plans of defense and offense that by necessity completely leave America out of it. He knows he cannot rely on American defense or any new financial support to a great degree as long as Obama is President.

He knows that this plan would only work if the U.S.A. has no inkling about what is set to transpire. In fact, there will likely be several kinds of mis-information dispensed by the Israeli Colition at that historic time just to throw Obama’s Gang off. The American President will remain Comfortably Numb while all this is hitting the fan. This time, he won’t be faking his ignorance.


6 posted on 04/05/2015 12:30:57 PM PDT by lee martell (The sa)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DanMiller

Bibi will do what he has to. Pretty simple.


7 posted on 04/05/2015 12:32:11 PM PDT by BigEdLB (ernie Sanders would havebeen no better...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DanMiller

Shift to an extreme version of MAD. Stipulate: the end of Tehran and as much else of Iran as possible. Also: the end of Mecca.


8 posted on 04/05/2015 12:33:20 PM PDT by samtheman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DanMiller

It would be very difficult to destroy the critical facilities with even repeated air attacks. However if the attacks were coordinated with some on the ground sabotage, it may be successful. Many of the Iranian Jews that were forced to leave Iran after the Islamic takeover were very involved in all aspects of the construction business. Would not be surprised if the support beams of many of those facilities are laced by Mossad with C4 explosives.


9 posted on 04/05/2015 12:35:06 PM PDT by allendale
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BigEdLB

Fix tagline... Comment would go here. Target the Virtue ministry as well.


10 posted on 04/05/2015 12:36:18 PM PDT by BigEdLB (They need to target the 'Ministry of Virtue' which has nothing to do with virtue.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: DanMiller

I think if they could, we would not have seen the political intrigue that we have witnessed in the past few months. Instead, we would notice a page eleven story in the newspaper about “tragic, unexplained fires” in about a dozen locations across Iran, that go unnoticed by the MSM. Israel has never been shy about doing what has to be done, and they don’t make a show of it.


11 posted on 04/05/2015 12:36:32 PM PDT by Regal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DanMiller

This thread asks the right question. History will judge Bibi by what he does and not by what he says. Obviously, the ball is in his court. He’s got a nuclear arsenal and plenty of troops.


12 posted on 04/05/2015 12:39:12 PM PDT by Tau Food (Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Forward the Light Brigade
A plot? Maybe, but I think Israel's continued existence is first and paramount. When Iran gets the bomb, and it will, The Saudis will get it quickly. Sunni Saudi Arabia has no love for Shiite Iran. And once Saudi Arabia gets the bomb, all bets are off; everything will come crashing down, including Mecca and Islam itself. Israel will be the last man standing, you can bet on that. Careful what you wish for Iran, you are hastening your own demise.
13 posted on 04/05/2015 12:41:23 PM PDT by Fungi (Evolution: no science, no truth, no nothing. Full of faith, faith in the "god" of chance.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: DanMiller

IMO Israel will now wait until there is a provocation by Iranian surrogates in southern Lebanon or Syria and use that as a timely excuse to strike Iran.

All Israel need do is strike back against Hezbollah forcefully and Iran will be foolish enough to do something that will invite a massive Israeli strike. Iran will not under any circumstances stand idle while Israel decimates Hezbollah in Lebanon...they are stupid enough to come to the aid of Hezbollah even knowing that it will give Israel license to strike.

Never again.


14 posted on 04/05/2015 12:42:44 PM PDT by Bobalu (If we live to see 2017 we will be kissing the ground)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DanMiller
Can they? No, not by themselves. I've read various assessments of the amount and type of air power it would take to effectively strike at Iran's nuclear facilities and it is just a bridge too far for IDF. However, with a little help it becomes doable. Challenging, risky, but doable. Who could/would they look to for that help? Traditionally, well, us. But it is virtually unthinkable that our terrorist supporting, not-so-closeted muslim in chief would authorize such a military operation. The wild card in the region? Saudi Arabia. They don't want a nuclear armed Iran any more than Israel does. Several reasons behind that. Saudi air bases and refueling would help Israel immensely. Add in flying some support missions (ones that don't require tight coordination with main strike packages 'cause they just haven't exercised/rehearsed together) and it not only becomes doable but an emphatic political statement too.

Should they? Sadly, yes, I believe they should. The US certainly will not do it. H*ll, bammy, Kerry, and cohorts are helping the Iranians. As terrible as it is to contemplate, the lives that will be lost, damage done, risks taken, etc. The potential (scratch that, make that likely) risks and damage that would be done by a nuclear armed Iran outweigh the likely losses of removing that threat.

15 posted on 04/05/2015 12:46:53 PM PDT by ThunderSleeps (Stop obarma now! Stop the hussein - insane agenda!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bobalu
Iran recently sent "tens of millions of dollars" to Hamas to
help it rebuild the tunnels destroyed in last summer’s conflict with Israel, the Sunday Telegraph reports. In an intense effort to restore the Palestinian extremists’ military capabilities, Iran is also funding new missile supplies to replenish the stocks used up in bombing Israeli towns and villages. Hamas capabilities were seriously degraded by Israel’s Operation Protective Edge last summer which ended in a ceasefire.

16 posted on 04/05/2015 12:48:55 PM PDT by DanMiller (Dan Miller)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: ThunderSleeps
Can they? No, not by themselves. I've read various assessments of the amount and type of air power it would take to effectively strike at Iran's nuclear facilities and it is just a bridge too far for IDF.

I believe that Israel has enough nukes to destroy Iran. Bibi's problem is that he has said that Iran presents an existential threat. If that's true, then he has no choice but to use every weapon in his arsenal to destroy Iran. Of course, if he doesn't believe that Iran presents an existential threat, then he won't. Who knows what he really thinks? Has he painted himself into a corner? If he does nothing, how will history judge him and his statements?

17 posted on 04/05/2015 12:53:45 PM PDT by Tau Food (Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Tau Food
You're probably right. A few selective nuclear strikes would be the end of Iran as we know it today. I was considering just conventional strikes. Using nuclear weapons might backfire on Israel and provide other powers in the region with the justification for obtaining nuclear weapons... Deciding to strike Iran is a tough call, deciding to strike with nuclear weapons, even tougher.

Again I think you're right though, if Israel's back is to the wall, they'll use anything and everything they have. The {expletives} in Tehran and elsewhere would do well to remember that. It's one thing to bluster about "wiping Israel off the map" etc. but it is another to realize that in order to actually do that, you are going to absorb a dozen or so nuclear weapons. I realize the muslim fanatics are not entirely rational by our standards but... The idea of the heart of your nation getting cut out, millions dead, hundreds of square miles of radioactive wasteland... That's got to give you pause. I hope, but I'm not counting on it.

18 posted on 04/05/2015 1:13:46 PM PDT by ThunderSleeps (Stop obarma now! Stop the hussein - insane agenda!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: ThunderSleeps

Well, it could be that nuclear weapons will end the Middle East problems. Spread enough radioactive material around and maybe the place will be uninhabitable for a long, long period of time.


19 posted on 04/05/2015 1:47:39 PM PDT by Tau Food (Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: DanMiller

Of course they should.


20 posted on 04/05/2015 2:04:36 PM PDT by freedomfiter2 (Brutal acts of commission and yawning acts of omission both strengthen the hand of the devil.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-26 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson