Just a bluff? Fears grow of Israeli attack on Iran

AP via SFGate ^ | 2/5/12 | DAN PERRY and JOSEF FEDERMAN, Associated Press

[SmithL]

JERUSALEM, Israel (AP) --

For the first time in nearly two decades of escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear program, world leaders are genuinely concerned that an Israeli military attack on the Islamic Republic could be imminent — an action that many fear might trigger a wider war, terrorism and global economic havoc.

High-level foreign dignitaries, including the U.N. chief and the head of the American military, have stopped in Israel in recent weeks, urging leaders to give the diplomatic process more time to work. But U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has reportedly concluded that an Israeli attack on Iran is likely in the coming months.

Despite harsh economic sanctions and international pressure, Iran is refusing to abandon its nuclear program, which it insists is purely civilian, and threatening Israel and the West.

It's beginning to cause jitters in world capitals and financial markets.

"Of course I worry that there will be a military conflict," Britain's deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, said in a magazine interview last week. He said Britain was "straining every single sinew to resolve this through a combination of pressure and engagement," rather than military action.

Is Israel bluffing?

[SmithL]

FILE- In this April, 9, 2007, file photo Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaks at a ceremony in Iran's nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, 300 kms 186 (miles) south of capital Tehran, Iran. For the first time in nearly two decades of escalating tensions over the Iranian nuclear program, it appears that world leaders are genuinely concerned that an Israeli military attack on the Islamic Republic could be imminent, an action that many fear might trigger war, terrorism and global economic havoc.

[Olog-hai]

. . . and nobody ever fears an Iranian attack on Israel. A few Zionists die? Who cares, right? After all, it’s not gonna turn into WWIII or anything, with terrorist nukes or whatever . . . </sarcasm>

[EGPWS]

Is Israel bluffing?

Does anyone really think that if Israel doesn't attack that Iran won't attack Israel after having gone nuclear?

It isn't like "Imanutjob" isn't making the case that Iran will attack!

Of course Israel isn't bluffing.

They will do what they have to do to survive.

[musicman]

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[trebb]

Is Israel bluffing? Does anyone really think that if Israel doesn't attack that Iran won't attack Israel after having gone nuclear? It isn't like "Imanutjob" isn't making the case that Iran will attack! Of course Israel isn't bluffing. They will do what they have to do to survive.

What really torques me is the way panetta came out and "predicted" Israel would atack during a specific 3-month period. No way that could be helpful to a sane America's foreign policy/security and seems to be a first nudge to throw Israel under the Islamic bus.

[FlingWingFlyer]

IMHO, the only thing holding Israel back right now is that they are not sure how the wishy washing bass turds in the American government will respond to an attack on Iran. Will the U.S. back Israel or Iran. That is the unknown.

[ex-snook]

If America becoming involved in another war there is not is our interests then the Secretary of Defense has to do what he has to do. Israel has to do what it has to do. We may not agree but we should not stop Israel but we should not help them either if they ignore our best interests.

[Pride_of_the_Bluegrass]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu29F8NfRvI

[tumblindice]

So the Israelis drop a dozen 2K bunker-buster JDAMs into their `sweet spot’ and the headline is, “Iran Conducting Underground Nuclear Testing” and everyone goes about their business. With the Iranians starting from square one, of course.
Works for me.

[Road Glide]

Title:
“Fears grow of Israeli attack on Iran”

Fear?

The only ones who should be “fearing” such an attack are the Iranians, who will deserve what they get.

Why should anyone else “fear” this?

[meatloaf]

Amen!

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

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[familyop]

Maybe Iran is only making a lot of noise about Israel while preparing to attack others.

[familyop]

Or maybe other neighboring nations will see incoming from Iranian oil production, transportation and support facilities and return nuclear fire on those.

[arthurus]

It is more likely that Israel will march stoutly up that hill again and then march back down again. The US has done that dance several times, positioning sufficient assets for an attack then dribbling them away.Israel’s version of the dance is elliptical and sometimes more direct remarks by those who would be “in a position to know.” The air gets denser with these then it all subsides.