U.S. planning for Israeli strike at Iran

The Washington Times ^ | May. 7

[F14 Pilot]

Washington, DC, May. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. authorities have extensively considered the possibility -- or likelihood -- that Israel will attack Iran's nuclear facilities, perhaps this year.

U.S. analysts and government sources said the Bush administration has discussed the prospect of an Israeli air strike in terms of the diplomatic, military and security implications for the United States, particularly its military presence in Iraq and the Persian Gulf region, the Middle East Newsline reported Friday.

[RFEngineer]

"US won't condemn that action if Israel take it. I am sure!"

Of course not! we only condemn acts that cause muslim "humiliation".....this wouldn't rise to that level. Now, if the Israeli's took a picture of Arafat on a leash......THAT would be condemned with all due speed! /sarc

[John Lenin]

Add Syria to the list also.

[swarthyguy]

May not be needed since the THEL tests have worked.

They can just shoot missiles out of the sky.

[swarthyguy]

May not be needed since the THEL tests have worked.

They can just shoot missiles out of the sky.

[John Lenin]

And if a few missiles get through, than what ?

[Quix]

SOCK IT TO EM ISRAEL!

[CyberAnt]

Nope. Somebody may just be speculating. After all, it's not like the idea hasn't been talked about.

I don't know what the plan was of putting this information out there, but I've been suspicious of something going on ever since there were so many reports of "UFO's" being cited over Iran in an alarming rate.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see. And I agree that the President probably discussed Iran with Sharon.

[tm22721]

There is a snake in the henhouse (Wahabbis in SA) but we are powerless to do anything about it lest our oil based economy go down the crapper.

Well I say let's get it over with we're right up the road from Mecca just turn the tanks around and head for the Ka'bah.

BUMP

[ought-six]

"Washington Times, you need to be reminded of this very important statement at this moment. We are at War. Loose lips sink ships. Never tell any potential adversary of any possible contingencies, period."

Good grief. If Teheran doesn't know its nuke sites are in the cross hairs than the mullahs are dumber than I thought. This is no big surprise. I mean, it's been mentioned publicly for at least two years.

[ought-six]

"Wow....this prospect makes me a little nervous..."

Not me. I'd be nervous if this prospect was NOT being considered. A nuclear-armed Iran is not an option. It cannot be allowed to get a nuke. Just think about it: Radical fundamental mohammedans with a nuclear weapon. If that is not a nightmare, I don't know what is. Saddam Hussein was dangerous, no doubt about it. But he was not a fanatic, like the Iranian leadership clearly is. I fully supported toppling Hussein. But I'd rather have an egomaniacal Hussein with his gas canisters than a nuclear-armed Iranian mullah.

[ought-six]

"Israel would expect the U.S. to help them too!"

And we would.

[chito]

i tell you how this goes down:
Israel takes out the plant, Iran and the other idol worshipers prepare a response, a peace deal is brokered to pull the middle east from the brink by a charismatic leader (zapatero?) and the world sighs in relief...shorty after i'm on the express elevator to heaven (rapture) and all hell breaks loose for about 7 years till the big man comes back to open a can of woop-ass...

[ought-six]

"Underestimating the cababilities of the Israeli armed forces is a deadly game."

That's a fact.

[Robert_Paulson2]

I expect he will condemn it beforehand... to try and stop it from happening.

Bush is flaked out, for now it appears.

[PISANO]

Sounds GOOD to me!!

[RightWhale]

We might as well do it ourselves, and take care of N Kor's nuke program at the same time. After the drop in moral authority in the Iraq prison situation, we won't be damaging our rep much if at all. The enemy says, "We got nukes, here are our demands." We say, "No you don't, but it's been fun." Easy come, easy go.

[DoctorMichael]

I wish we'd increase psy-ops on the Iranians and aid more Democratically-oriented Iranian groups so this terrible regime of mad-Mullahs can be overthrown and discarded into the 'dustbin of history' (apologies to Ronaldus Magnus).

[Eternal_Bear]

Seems you know very little about this. Israel developed a nuclear arsenal without any help from the U.S. whatsoever, and their two major wars (in '67 and '73) were fought without any U.S. arms.

Actually Israel had plenty of M-60 tanks and F-4 Phantom jets during the 73 War. Nixon ordered a massive resupply to Israel during the progress of the war. Stop talking about matters you know nothing about. I have wargamed the situation many times. Yes Israel upgraded the Sherman tank. Big deal.

[not2worry]

I have always thought perhaps the Iraqi War was two fold.

1. To get rid of Saddam and any potential he had for WMDs.

2. To give us an airbase for strength in the Middle East from a strategy point of view.

I think ole Rummie and his boys at the Pentagon are light years ahead of their time in thinking outside the box.

Teddy Kennedy is still trying to fit his left foot into a right shoe!

[Mr. Mojo]

Not just the Sherman tank, but the F-16 as well. Israeli F-16s have been extensively modified with enhanced jamming and electronic countermeasures equipment.

Yes, Nixon helped resupply Israel in '73, and it helped turn the tide of the (short) war. But the '67 war was fought without either U.S. help or arms, and their nuclear arsenal was developed independently as well.