Israel stations nuclear missile subs off Iran

Times Online ^ | May 30, 2010 | Uzi Mahnaimi

[lbryce]

Three German-built Israeli submarines equipped with nuclear cruise missiles are to be deployed in the Gulf near the Iranian coastline.

The first has been sent in response to Israeli fears that ballistic missiles developed by Iran, Syria and Hezbollah, a political and military organisation in Lebanon, could hit sites in Israel, including air bases and missile launchers.

The submarines of Flotilla 7 — Dolphin, Tekuma and Leviathan — have visited the Gulf before. But the decision has now been taken to ensure a permanent presence of at least one of the vessels.

The flotilla’s commander, identified only as “Colonel O”, told an Israeli newspaper: “We are an underwater assault force. We’re operating deep and far, very far, from our borders.”

Each of the submarines has a crew of 35 to 50, commanded by a colonel capable of launching a nuclear cruise missile.

The vessels can remain at sea for about 50 days and stay submerged up to 1,150ft below the surface for at least a week. Some of the cruise missiles are equipped with the most advanced nuclear warheads in the Israeli arsenal.

The deployment is designed to act as a deterrent, gather intelligence and potentially to land Mossad agents. “We’re a solid base for collecting sensitive information, as we can stay for a long time in one place,” said a flotilla officer.

The submarines could be used if Iran continues its programme to produce a nuclear bomb. “The 1,500km range of the submarines’ cruise missiles can reach any target in Iran,” said a navy officer.

Apparently responding to the Israeli activity, an Iranian admiral said: “Anyone who wishes to do an evil act in the Persian Gulf will receive a forceful response from us.”

[lbryce]

With its unapologetic in-your-face, no-holes barred geopolitical /military posture, Iran has left itself very little room for brinkmanship. That Israel has stationed its nuclear missile force in the Persian Gulf near the Iranian coastline consequently has no impact on the Iranian goal to acquire nuclear capacity. Iran is not going to be deterred in its efforts to achieve nuclear capability, be it saber-rattling or economic incentive, and don't believe Israel is served well by stories such as this of how it has Iran firmly in its gun-sight.

[EGPWS]

With its unapologetic in-your-face, no-holes barred geopolitical /military posture, Iran has left itself very little room for brinkmanship. That Israel has stationed its nuclear missile force in the Persian Gulf near the Iranian coastline consequently has no impact on the Iranian goal to acquire nuclear capacity. Iran is not going to be deterred in its efforts to achieve nuclear capability, be it saber-rattling or economic incentive, and don't believe Israel is served well by stories such as this of how it has Iran firmly in its gun-sight.

Yes, Israel should sit back, take a breath, and discuss the situation in the U.N.

This saber rattling that they are showing will only infuriate the Persian elites into doing something uncalled for by the rest of the world. /s

[MHGinTN]

Saber rattling? ... Have you paused to consider that it is just prudent preparation?

[Oldpuppymax]

If these are anything like American nukes, they alone could destroy Iran...plus most of the REST of the Middle East.

[eclecticEel]

The flotilla’s commander, identified only as “Colonel O"

Given that the name given has no connection with the man's actual name, is their any coincidence that of all 26 letters in the English alphabet they could use, they choose "O".

[STD]

Get on with it already. I’m soo tired of this non-sense, either destroy Iran’s nuke program or commit national suicide. What’s with the totally unnecessary news releases.
Fish or cut bait guys!

[FrankR]

I don't think Israel is the "sabre-rattling" type...they are more like "walk softly and you'd better not eff with us" type.

Actually, it's the only thing that has a chance of working with the fanatics in Iran. Bullies and trouble makers sometimes need to be bitch-slapped to calm them down.

Achmadinnerjacket has been threatening for a long time to completely destroy Israel, so I think this action is appropriate and prudent.

The best way to keep someone OUT of your face, is to knock them out.

[lbryce]

Thank you. The very essence of my comment only better said.

[bitterohiogunclinger]

Given that to my knowledge Israel has never publicly admitted to having nukes and are even less given to press releases detailing their operational capabilities or plans, I put little credence to this report.

[cbkaty]

In a sobering interview with PJTV for eleven dramatic minutes, Retired Major General Paul E Vallely, now the Military Committee Chairman for the Center for Security Policy in Washington, D.C., sat down in interviewer with Paul Whittle and voiced his most immediate concerns: Iran is already “Nuclear” and Iran is preparing a preemptive attack upon Israel with Hizballah....

The Hizballah forces in Lebanon are preparing a “Summer Offensive” that will change the nature of the world as we know it.

More

[jimbo123]

Iran has a nuke, but no way to deploy it against Israel yet. Israel is doing what needs to be done to ensure Iran’s nuke stays in Iran.

[B-Cause]

I am Israel video

Click here.

[DrC]

I am concerned that Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon is simply a deliberate provocation to induce an Israeli preemptive strike. That preemptive strike presumably would be launched against military targets rather than major cities. Iran surely would incur many casualties, but nothing on a scale to threaten its survival.

Conversely, the Iranian nuclear retaliation would wipe out at least one or two of Israel’s most populated cities. In conjunction with 40,000 to 80,000 Hezbollah-controlled missiles, chemical weapons and whatever other military capabilities Iran chooses to toss in, Iran at least has a shot at decapitating Israeli leadership which would short-circuit the Samson option. Israel as a nation would be destroyed as the residual population almost certainly could not repel the ground forces that would follow from neighboring enemy states.

In this context, having a submarine-launched nuclear capability that is unequivocally survivable could then carry out elements of the Samson strategy. Whether knowledge of this could ever deter a mad-man such as I’mANutJob is debatable.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Iran is not going to be deterred in its efforts to achieve nuclear capability, be it saber-rattling or economic incentive, and don't believe Israel is served well by stories such as this of how it has Iran firmly in its gun-sight.

What cannot be deterred, must be foreclosed. Israel has the means to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, should they chose to employ it.

[bluejay]

The story is clearly bogus. Israel has never admitted to having nuclear capability. In fact, an official declaration that Israel is a nuclear state would be a much bigger deal.

[upcountryhorseman]

I thought the Gulf was too shallow for subs to operate.

[lonevoice]

ping