Israelis 'rehearse Iran attack'

Byrnzie
Byrnzie Posts: 21,037
edited June 2008 in A Moving Train
Friday, 20 June 2008 10:36 UK

Israelis 'rehearse Iran attack'


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7465170.stm
'Israel has carried out an exercise that appears to have been a rehearsal for an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, US officials have told the New York Times.

More than 100 Israeli fighter jets took part in manoeuvres over the eastern Mediterranean and over Greece in the first week of June, US officials said.

Iran insists its programme is peaceful, but Israel sees Iran's development of the technology as a serious threat.

Tehran is defying a demand from the UN that it stop the enrichment of uranium.

The UN Security Council approved a third round of sanctions against Iran over the issue in March 2008.

Several US officials briefing the New York Times said the exercise was intended demonstrate the seriousness of Israel's concern over Iran's nuclear activities, and its willingness to act unilaterally.

"They wanted us to know, they wanted the Europeans to know, and they wanted the Iranians to know," a Pentagon official is quoted as saying by the newspaper.

"There's a lot of signalling going on at different levels."

The exercise involved Israeli helicopters that could be used to rescue downed pilots, the newspaper reported.

The helicopters and refuelling tankers flew more than 1,400km (870 miles), roughly the distance between Israel and Iran's main uranium enrichment plant at Natanz.

The New York Times reported that Israeli officials declined to discuss the details of the exercise.

A spokesman for the Israeli military said the air force "regularly trains for various missions in order to confront and meet the challenges posed by the threats facing Israel".

Warnings

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned on 4 June that drastic measures were needed to stop Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.

He said Iran must be shown there will be devastating consequences if it did develop such weapons.

Israeli deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz - a former defence minister - said earlier this month that military strikes to stop Iran developing nuclear weapons looked "unavoidable".

In 1981, Israeli jets bombed the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak, 30km (18 miles) outside Baghdad.

Israel said it believed the French-built plant was designed to make nuclear weapons that could be used against Israel.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • spiral out
    spiral out Posts: 1,052
    When do you think they will attack? I can't see Iran backing down.
    Keep on rockin in the free world!!!!

    The economy has polarized to the point where the wealthiest 10% now own 85% of the nation’s wealth. Never before have the bottom 90% been so highly indebted, so dependent on the wealthy.
  • Byrnzie
    Byrnzie Posts: 21,037
    spiral out wrote:
    When do you think they will attack? I can't see Iran backing down.

    Hard to say. Though probably before Bush leaves office.
  • spiral out
    spiral out Posts: 1,052
    Byrnzie wrote:
    Hard to say. Though probably before Bush leaves office.

    Thats what I'm thinking, but hoping it never happens.
    Keep on rockin in the free world!!!!

    The economy has polarized to the point where the wealthiest 10% now own 85% of the nation’s wealth. Never before have the bottom 90% been so highly indebted, so dependent on the wealthy.
  • mammasan
    mammasan Posts: 5,656
    I don't think Israel will attack Iran. They would be opening up a huge can of worms especially since this administration is on it's way out there is no way to tell if the next administration will be as supportive of their actions.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • blackredyellow
    blackredyellow Posts: 5,889
    Pre-emptive strikes are soooo 2003...
    My whole life
    was like a picture
    of a sunny day
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    ― Abraham Lincoln
  • Rhinocerous Surprise
    Rhinocerous Surprise Posts: 4,423
    mammasan wrote:
    I don't think Israel will attack Iran. They would be opening up a huge can of worms especially since this administration is on it's way out there is no way to tell if the next administration will be as supportive of their actions.

    Obama's already pledged unwavering friendship to them. I don't see the US hopping out of bed with them anytime in the next few years. Not while Iran's still waving its willy around.
    Smokey Robinson constantly looks like he's trying to act natural after being accused of farting.
  • mammasan
    mammasan Posts: 5,656
    Rhinocerous Surprise wrote:
    Obama's already pledged unwavering friendship to them. I don't see the US hopping out of bed with them anytime in the next few years. Not while Iran's still waving its willy around.

    True but saying you will back them up and then actually doing so, especially if they launch and unprovoked attack of Iran, is a whole different ball game. Even the Bush administration has started to criticize Israel, specifically the new settlements they are building in east Jerusalem. I'm sure Obama will hestitate supporting Israel if they do launch unprovoked attacks on Iran. He knows that the people of this country will not support such actions.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • Rhinocerous Surprise
    Rhinocerous Surprise Posts: 4,423
    mammasan wrote:
    True but saying you will back them up and then actually doing so, especially if they launch and unprovoked attack of Iran, is a whole different ball game. Even the Bush administration has started to criticize Israel, specifically the new settlements they are building in east Jerusalem. I'm sure Obama will hestitate supporting Israel if they do launch unprovoked attacks on Iran. He knows that the people of this country will not support such actions.

    I hope you're right. :)
    Smokey Robinson constantly looks like he's trying to act natural after being accused of farting.
  • rebornFixer
    rebornFixer Posts: 4,901
    My honest view is that the U.S. should criticize Israel around Palestine issue (e.g., ongoing settlement expansion, continued refusal to withdraw to pre-1967 borders) before they should criticize re. an attack on Iran. I actually have few problems with the notion of a pinpoint strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, ala Iraq 1981.
  • rebornFixer
    rebornFixer Posts: 4,901
    mammasan wrote:
    True but saying you will back them up and then actually doing so, especially if they launch and unprovoked attack of Iran, is a whole different ball game. Even the Bush administration has started to criticize Israel, specifically the new settlements they are building in east Jerusalem. I'm sure Obama will hestitate supporting Israel if they do launch unprovoked attacks on Iran. He knows that the people of this country will not support such actions.

    Don't be so sure ... I think most people would have a huge problem with invading Iran, launching a full-on war (and justifiably so). A quick strike on Iran's nuclear facilities wouldn't be the same thing.
  • El_Kabong
    El_Kabong Posts: 4,141
    mammasan wrote:
    I don't think Israel will attack Iran. They would be opening up a huge can of worms especially since this administration is on it's way out there is no way to tell if the next administration will be as supportive of their actions.


    no? obama has already pledged to be one of the most stalwart allies of israel plus all that other shit he told aipac
    standin above the crowd
    he had a voice that was strong and loud and
    i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
    eager to identify with
    someone above the crowd
    someone who seemed to feel the same
    someone prepared to lead the way
  • El_Kabong
    El_Kabong Posts: 4,141
    mammasan wrote:
    True but saying you will back them up and then actually doing so, especially if they launch and unprovoked attack of Iran, is a whole different ball game. Even the Bush administration has started to criticize Israel, specifically the new settlements they are building in east Jerusalem. I'm sure Obama will hestitate supporting Israel if they do launch unprovoked attacks on Iran. He knows that the people of this country will not support such actions.


    all options are on the table and he has said how the us shouldn't force israel to make peace w/ anyone and all the problems are from israel's neighbors
    standin above the crowd
    he had a voice that was strong and loud and
    i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
    eager to identify with
    someone above the crowd
    someone who seemed to feel the same
    someone prepared to lead the way
  • mammasan
    mammasan Posts: 5,656
    Well if they do attack Iran then the shit is really going to hit the fan. Let's just hope that cooler heads prevail.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • rebornFixer
    rebornFixer Posts: 4,901
    mammasan wrote:
    Well if they do attack Iran then the shit is really going to hit the fan. Let's just hope that cooler heads prevail.

    I don't know ... I think it would depend on the nature of the attack. I think most people would prefer a diplomatic solution.
  • Open
    Open Posts: 792
    Attacking Iran would be idiotic, it would just rally the people around an unpopular goverment.
  • rebornFixer
    rebornFixer Posts: 4,901
    Open wrote:
    Attacking Iran would be idiotic, it would just rally the people around an unpopular goverment.

    I thought Amadangigibad's government was pretty popular, in part because of his anti-West sentiment and sabre-rattling re. the US and Israel. There are many progressievs in Iran as well, particularly in Tehran ... People who are more secular-minded, mainly intelligensia/academics and artistic-types who oppose the government but cannot openly voice their opinions. Maybe these people would turn more conservative in the event of an attack ...
  • Open
    Open Posts: 792
    reborncareerist wrote:
    I thought Amadangigibad's government was pretty popular, in part because of his anti-West sentiment and sabre-rattling re. the US and Israel. There are many progressievs in Iran as well, particularly in Tehran ... People who are more secular-minded, mainly intelligensia/academics and artistic-types who oppose the government but cannot openly voice their opinions. Maybe these people would turn more conservative in the event of an attack ...


    He was elected b/c the progressives were not allowed to run, they were taken off the ballot. (Guess disenfranchisement is conservative favorite). The majority of the country is progressive, there is just a tight leash around their necks. The goverment gives just enough slack to prevent a revolution (ie looking away and letting the black market thrive). Even with the slack the people are getting bolder w/ time and there will be a regime change. Any kind of attack from the west will undo all that. Creating a "its the world against us" mentality is part of the reason Ahmidinejad makes some his famous comments.
  • Abookamongstthemany
    Abookamongstthemany Posts: 8,209
    Open wrote:
    He was elected b/c the progressives were not allowed to run, they were taken off the ballot.

    Oh my...that sounds familiar.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • fuck
    fuck Posts: 4,069
    Abookamongstthemany wrote:
    Oh my...that sounds familiar.
    land of the free?
  • fuck
    fuck Posts: 4,069
    I was actually talking to Seymour Hersh the other day and he's 100% sure that Iran will be bombed before Bush is out of office, so to hear someone like him say that, I was kinda freaked out. Now, I must say that I'm pretty much agreeing with him...

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