From http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1522978,00.html dated Maech 13 2005.
Revealed: Israel plans strike on Iranian nuclear plant
Uzi Mahnaimi
ISRAEL has drawn up secret plans for a combined air and ground attack on targets in Iran if diplomacy fails to halt the Iranian nuclear programme.
The inner cabinet of Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, gave “initial authorisation” for an attack at a private meeting last month on his ranch in the Negev desert.
Israeli forces have used a mock-up of Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment plant in the desert to practise destroying it. Their tactics include raids by Israel’s elite Shaldag (Kingfisher) commando unit and airstrikes by F-15 jets from 69 Squadron, using bunker-busting bombs to penetrate underground facilities.
If this is true.....
I do not think this is a true context of any plan. Its just propoganda from the liberal left, who want to vilify Israel.
1)First of all, the F-15s have no permission to overfly Iraq, or Syria or Jordon, so they would have to avoid being shot down over these countries. Pilots flying nuclear weapons , nor their governments, would contemplate the slightest risk of a plane carrying a nuke being shot down over a non-beligerant nation.
2) Secondly, the USA would never sanction a nuclear raid on Iran, unless the Iranians used the bomb first.
3)Thirdly the Israelis Air Force f-15s can carry enough fuel to perform such an attack, but would not have enough to return, so they would require refuling in the air, a capacity that Israel does not have, and the USA would not help them.
4) Fourthly, if the Israeli government WAS planning such a nuclear attack, it would hardly be doing mock up attacks observable by any reporters. They don't need such mock ups. Not with nukes. It wouldn't matter if a bunker buster nuke is 200 yards off target.
5) Fifthly,Assault forces would NEVER be used in such a strike becuause of lethal levels of radio activity. Its a joke to think that anyone would actually believe this.
6) Sixthly, there wouldn't be any leaks to any press. Any leaks would mean the death of the leaker and likely the death of any reporter foolish enough to write about it.
If Iran is struck with nuclear arms it will be from an ICBM.And it will be retaliatory.
People SHOULD know propaganda when they see it, as this story most definitely is.