Fox news: Israel planning nuclear strike on Iran nuclear sites

[marked8]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,242243,00.html

Israel has drawn up secret plans to destroy Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities with tactical nuclear weapons. Two Israeli air force squadrons are training to blow up an Iranian facility using low-yield nuclear “bunker-busters”, according to several Israeli military sources.

The attack would be the first with nuclear weapons since 1945, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Israeli weapons would each have a force equivalent to one-fifteenth of the Hiroshima bomb.

Under the plans, conventional laser-guided bombs would open “tunnels” into the targets. “Mini-nukes” would then immediately be fired into a plant at Natanz, exploding deep underground to reduce the risk of radioactive fallout.

“As soon as the green light is given, it will be one mission, one strike and the Iranian nuclear project will be demolished,” said one of the sources.

The plans, disclosed to The Sunday Times last week, have been prompted in part by the Israeli intelligence service Mossad’s assessment that Iran is on the verge of producing enough enriched uranium to make nuclear weapons within two years.

(Story continues below)

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Israeli military commanders believe conventional strikes may no longer be enough to annihilate increasingly well-defended enrichment facilities. Several have been built beneath at least 70ft of concrete and rock.

However, the nuclear-tipped bunker-busters would be used only if a conventional attack was ruled out and if the United States declined to intervene, senior sources said.

Israeli and American officials have met several times to consider military action. Military analysts said the disclosure of the plans could be intended to put pressure on Tehran to halt enrichment, cajole America into action or soften up world opinion in advance of an Israeli attack.

Some analysts warned that Iranian retaliation for such a strike could range from disruption of oil supplies to the West to terrorist attacks against Jewish targets around the world.

Israel has identified three prime targets south of Tehran which are believed to be involved in Iran’s nuclear programme:

—Natanz, where thousands of centrifuges are being installed for uranium enrichment

—A uranium conversion facility near Isfahan where, according to a statement by an Iranian vice-president last week, 250 tons of gas for the enrichment process have been stored in tunnels

—A heavy water reactor at Arak, which may in future produce enough plutonium for a bomb Israeli officials believe that destroying all three sites would delay Iran’s nuclear programme indefinitely and prevent them from having to live in fear of a “second Holocaust”.

The Israeli government has warned repeatedly that it will never allow nuclear weapons to be made in Iran, whose president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has declared that “Israel must be wiped off the map”.

Robert Gates, the new US defence secretary, has described military action against Iran as a “last resort”, leading Israeli officials to conclude that it will be left to them to strike.

Israeli pilots have flown to Gibraltar in recent weeks to train for the 2,000-mile round trip to the Iranian targets. Three possible routes have been mapped out, including one over Turkey.

Air force squadrons based at Hatzerim in the Negev desert and Tel Nof, south of Tel Aviv, have trained to use Israel’s tactical nuclear weapons on the mission. The preparations have been overseen by Major General Eliezer Shkedi, commander of the Israeli air force.

Sources close to the Pentagon said the United States was highly unlikely to give approval for tactical nuclear weapons to be used. One source said Israel would have to seek approval “after the event”, as it did when it crippled Iraq’s nuclear reactor at Osirak with airstrikes in 1981.

Scientists have calculated that although contamination from the bunker-busters could be limited, tons of radioactive uranium compounds would be released.

The Israelis believe that Iran’s retaliation would be constrained by fear of a second strike if it were to launch its Shehab-3 ballistic missiles at Israel.

However, American experts warned of repercussions, including widespread protests that could destabilise parts of the Islamic world friendly to the West.

Colonel Sam Gardiner, a Pentagon adviser, said Iran could try to close the Strait of Hormuz, the route for 20 percent of the world’s oil.

Some sources in Washington said they doubted if Israel would have the nerve to attack Iran. However, Dr Ephraim Sneh, the deputy Israeli defence minister, said last month: “The time is approaching when Israel and the international community will have to decide whether to take military action against Iran.”

 

[decibels5]

Holy sh1t! If this post has any sort of roots, I hope Im on vacation in the Bahamas. If I were to put myself in their shoes I would take the same actions. Israel doesnt have an ocean between them and Iran like we do. They must strike first and be on target if it comes to that. I feel that any threats must be taken seriously and dealt with 100 percent. Not like we did in Iraq.

 

[formerknown]

Israel has drawn up secret plans to destroy Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities

Well, it ain't a fvcking secret anymore! Thanks, Fox News! :eyeroll:

 

[pepperman]

They probably had those plans drawn up a long time ago. If Isreal feels like they have to they will attack.

 

[TheDude]

Well, it ain't a fvcking secret anymore! Thanks, Fox News! :eyeroll:

Look... Fox News is helping the "ter'Rist"!

Israel is retarded for using nukes though, even low yield nukes. That'll just give someone(Iran, Syria, Jordan etc.) the needed excuse to attack them in return with nuclear ordinance.

 

[shagdrum]

'Bout time!

 

[formerknown]

Look... Fox News is helping the "ter'Rist"!

No surprise here. You do know that Fox News is owned by Arabs, right?

 

[marked8]

Israel denying it:

LONDON, England (AP) -- A British newspaper reported Sunday that Israel has drafted plans to strike as many as three targets in Iran with low-yield nuclear weapons, aiming to halt Tehran's uranium enrichment program. The Israeli Foreign Ministry denied the report.

Citing multiple unidentified Israeli military sources, The Sunday Times said the proposals involved using so-called "bunker-buster" nuclear weapons to attack nuclear facilities at three sites south of the Iranian capital.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said it would not respond to the claim. "We don't respond to publications in the Sunday Times," said Miri Eisin, Olmert's spokeswoman.

Israeli Minister of Strategic Threats Avigdor Lieberman also declined to comment on the report.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev denied the report and said that "the focus of the Israeli activity today is to give full support to diplomatic actions" and the implementation of a U.N. Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Iran for refusing to halt enrichment.

The United States and its allies accuse Tehran of secretly trying to produce atomic weapons, but Iran claims its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, including generating electricity.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has condemned the U.N. resolution as invalid and illegal.

Though Olmert has not explicitly ruled out a military strike against Iran's nuclear program, he has repeatedly said the issue should be dealt with diplomatically.

Because an Iranian nuclear bomb would affect the entire world, Olmert has said, the problem must be solved by the international community.

The Sunday Times reported that Mossad, the Israeli spy agency, believes Iran could produce enough enriched uranium to build nuclear weapons within two years. It also reported the top three targets for the Israelis were Natanz, where thousands of centrifuges are being installed, a heavy water reactor at Arak and a uranium conversion facility near Isfahan.

Israeli pilots, the newspaper reported, have made flights to the British colony of Gibraltar to train for the 2,000-mile round trip to the Iranian targets.

The Israeli army declined to comment when asked by The Associated Press on Sunday whether the Israeli air force was training for an attack against Iranian nuclear facilities.

"I refuse to believe that anyone here would consider using nuclear weapons against Iran," Reuven Pedatzur, a prominent defense analyst and columnist for the daily Haaretz, told the AP. "It is possible that this was a leak done on purpose, as deterrence, to say 'someone better hold us back, before we do something crazy."'

Ephraim Kam, a strategic expert at Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Strategic Studies and a former senior army intelligence officer, also dismissed the report.

"No reliable source would ever speak about this, certainly not to the Sunday Times," Kam said.

 

[fossten]

Look... Fox News is helping the "ter'Rist"!

Israel is retarded for using nukes though, even low yield nukes. That'll just give someone(Iran, Syria, Jordan etc.) the needed excuse to attack them in return with nuclear ordinance.

You keep plumbing new depths of inanity with your statements. As if Iran, who has funded Hezbollah and assisted them in firing rockets into Israel, and has said that they want Israel wiped off the map, and continues to say so, while threatening the world with nukes, NEEDS an excuse to attack Israel?

It's interesting that you don't see this story as Israel simply standing up for itself after all the attacks it's suffered. I suppose you believe Israel should just pack up and move to Europe, just like Ahmadinejad believes, eh?

As if Syria, who has funded and assisted Hezbollah in the exact same mission, needs an excuse?

You know nothing about Jordan except that they are a neighboring country. Nice try.

The fact is that Iran, Syria, and anybody else who threatens Israel are simply afraid of Israel. And they should be. I for one would wholeheartedly support an attack by Israel on Iran. Go get em boys!!

 

[fossten]

Israel denying it:

Show me in that article where Israel denies the story. Where it even mentions any official response, it simply says Israel declines to comment. And the opinion of a media analyst can hardly be construed to be an official response.

Lesson 1 in blogging: Read the article carefully before you comment. You just misrepresented Israel. Looks like you might be up for a better job, though, based on that skill: Working for the anti-Israel mainstream media.

 

[MAC1]

Look... Fox News is helping the "ter'Rist"!

Israel is retarded for using nukes though, even low yield nukes. That'll just give someone(Iran, Syria, Jordan etc.) the needed excuse to attack them in return with nuclear ordinance.

None of them need an excuse to attack Israel, particularly Iran and Syria. Haven't they already been attacking Israel through terrorist groups.

The Middle East is rapidly heading towards a melt down. Though I would like to be optimistic and believe there will be peace, the problem is I don't see anything to indicate peace is on the horizon.

As long as Muslims are willing teach their children to hate Jews and are willing to condone prejudice, how can there be peace?

 

[fossten]

None of them need an excuse to attack Israel, particularly Iran and Syria. Haven't they already been attacking Israel through terrorist groups.

The Middle East is rapidly heading towards a melt down. Though I would like to be optimistic and believe there will be peace, the problem is I don't see anything to indicate peace is on the horizon.

As long as Muslims are willing teach their children to hate Jews and are willing to condone prejudice, how can there be peace?

Exactly. It is ISLAM that is the threat to world peace. Notice I didn't say Islamofascism. ISLAM. Nothing else comes close. Until we show these 7th century fanatics what they can do with their "domination" desires, they will continue to terrorize countries. Maybe Israel can show our gov how to deal with a wacko nation like Iran.

 

[MonsterMark]

Maybe Israel can show our gov how to deal with a wacko nation like Iran.

I certainly hope so.

Right now it looks like the new Dem leader is demonstrating the only skill she has. (Simply clueless at this point). This might be the only skill she needs on Capital Hill though.

 

[Joeychgo]

Oh thats bad Bryan!

But yeah - I've been underwhelmed by her performance so far.

 

[RB3]

FYI for deVille and evilally:

Fox News is not to blame for this story, they just picked up an existing story from the wire. The story originated with the Sunday Times in London.

Fox is owned by News Corp. The majority shareholder is Rupert Murdoch, an Australian. Voting control lies in the Murdoch family. The company originally incorporated in Australia, but is now a US Corp.

 

[Marcus]

Fox is owned by News Corp.

As is the Sunday Times. Just wanted to point that out in case you weren't aware.

 

[TheDude]

You keep plumbing new depths of inanity with your statements. As if Iran, who has funded Hezbollah and assisted them in firing rockets into Israel, and has said that they want Israel wiped off the map, and continues to say so, while threatening the world with nukes, NEEDS an excuse to attack Israel?

It's interesting that you don't see this story as Israel simply standing up for itself after all the attacks it's suffered. I suppose you believe Israel should just pack up and move to Europe, just like Ahmadinejad believes, eh?

As if Syria, who has funded and assisted Hezbollah in the exact same mission, needs an excuse?

You know nothing about Jordan except that they are a neighboring country. Nice try.

The fact is that Iran, Syria, and anybody else who threatens Israel are simply afraid of Israel. And they should be. I for one would wholeheartedly support an attack by Israel on Iran. Go get em boys!!

It's funny you often accuse me of not having a point when you fail to read what I write before you attack... I'll just stack this response with all your other knee-jerkers you so readily spew forth. I said "an excuse to attack Israel with nuclear ordinance", key words in sentence, 'nuclear ordinance'.

Interesting how you always try and imply someone is a "Jew Hater" if they don't fully support Israel's every move. Why is that?

As far as Jordan goes, I know they have a "peace" with Israel, but Jordan has been very anti-Jewish/Israel in the past. Nice try on your part.

And If Iran were to threaten Israel, I'd support Israel attacking too, just don't open Pandora's Box and do it with nuclear weapons.

 

[bufordtpisser]

She looks like................

I certainly hope so.

Right now it looks like the new Dem leader is demonstrating the only skill she has. (Simply clueless at this point). This might be the only skill she needs on Capital Hill though.

The newest in a line of blowup dolls that are designed for aging politicians.

 

[TheDude]

None of them need an excuse to attack Israel, particularly Iran and Syria. Haven't they already been attacking Israel through terrorist groups.

The Middle East is rapidly heading towards a melt down. Though I would like to be optimistic and believe there will be peace, the problem is I don't see anything to indicate peace is on the horizon.

As long as Muslims are willing teach their children to hate Jews and are willing to condone prejudice, how can there be peace?

Don't be a Fossten... I said "an excuse to attack in return with nuclear ordinance", not just an excuse to attack.

 

[fossten]

It's funny you often accuse me of not having a point when you fail to read what I write before you attack... I'll just stack this response with all your other knee-jerkers you so readily spew forth. I said "an excuse to attack Israel with nuclear ordinance", key words in sentence, 'nuclear ordinance'.

Interesting how you always try and imply someone is a "Jew Hater" if they don't fully support Israel's every move. Why is that?

As far as Jordan goes, I know they have a "peace" with Israel, but Jordan has been very anti-Jewish/Israel in the past. Nice try on your part.

And If Iran were to threaten Israel, I'd support Israel attacking too, just don't open Pandora's Box and do it with nuclear weapons.

IF Iran were to threaten Israel? Are you kidding? What rock have you been living under? Are you not aware of the almost weekly press releases by Ahmadinejad THREATENING Israel?

Even accepting your premise for the sake of the argument, you still make no sense. For 20 years Iran has denied having nuclear weapons. So how can they threaten Israel with nukes? And what's the difference if they get 'wiped off the map' with nukes or otherwise? Furthermore, you have an uncanny inability to connect dots like I've never seen before. Let me try to help you:

1. Iran is developing nukes
2. Iran is threatening to wipe Israel off the map (see where I'm going here?)
3. Israel is considering destroying Iran's nuclear capability so they won't get wiped off the map (see that natural response - it's called protecting itself?)
4. Iran may use that as an excuse to launch a nuclear attack? (LOL)
5. YOU called Israel RETARDED.
6. You don't believe Israel should protect themselves
7. Ergo, you are either anti-Israel or stupid.

I've never seen people so frightened of Iran, which is a half-assed country that would fold like a tent if Israel decided to go all-out. Go boo-hoo in your little tent, little man.

 

[RB3]

As is the Sunday Times. Just wanted to point that out in case you weren't aware.

Fair enough, but not really relevant to the points I was making; which were:

1. To respond to deVille's assertion that Fox News was aiding terrorists. If we accept that premise, the blame still lies with the Sunday Times, which is an independent editorial entity from Fox News, regardless of common stock holdings. The Times broke the story. Fox, among others, picked it up after the fact.

2. To respond to Evilally's separate assertion that Fox News is owned by Arabs. It isn't. There is reportedly a Saudi prince that owns about 6% of the stock, which may be the source of that misinformation.

 

[06AtlantaLS]

IF Iran were to threaten Israel? Are you kidding? What rock have you been living under? Are you not aware of the almost weekly press releases by Ahmadinejad THREATENING Israel?

Even accepting your premise for the sake of the argument, you still make no sense. For 20 years Iran has denied having nuclear weapons. So how can they threaten Israel with nukes? And what's the difference if they get 'wiped off the map' with nukes or otherwise? Furthermore, you have an uncanny inability to connect dots like I've never seen before. Let me try to help you:

1. Iran is developing nukes
2. Iran is threatening to wipe Israel off the map (see where I'm going here?)
3. Israel is considering destroying Iran's nuclear capability so they won't get wiped off the map (see that natural response - it's called protecting itself?)
4. Iran may use that as an excuse to launch a nuclear attack? (LOL)
5. YOU called Israel RETARDED.
6. You don't believe Israel should protect themselves
7. Ergo, you are either anti-Israel or stupid.

I've never seen people so frightened of Iran, which is a half-assed country that would fold like a tent if Israel decided to go all-out. Go boo-hoo in your little tent, little man.

Amen brother. Israel has every right to defend itself against a country that wants nothing more than to completely destroy it. I'm all for it and wish they would have done this several months ago.

As for U.S. involvement I'm a little torn. While it needs to be done I'm not sure if we should have an active role in the tactical nuke missions. Some sort of support role would be more likely from the U.S.. As an officer with a metro-Atlanta bomb squad we constantly follow these events. The mission carried out by Israel will no doubt have a slew of retaliation from Iran and its supporters but there is no question that this is something that must be done.

P.S. 95 - when speaking of artillery and weapons and such it's ORDNANCE. An ORDINANCE is a law enacted by a city/town or county.

 

[TheDude]

IF Iran were to threaten Israel? Are you kidding? What rock have you been living under? Are you not aware of the almost weekly press releases by Ahmadinejad THREATENING Israel?

Even accepting your premise for the sake of the argument, you still make no sense. For 20 years Iran has denied having nuclear weapons. So how can they threaten Israel with nukes? And what's the difference if they get 'wiped off the map' with nukes or otherwise? Furthermore, you have an uncanny inability to connect dots like I've never seen before. Let me try to help you:

1. Iran is developing nukes
2. Iran is threatening to wipe Israel off the map (see where I'm going here?)
3. Israel is considering destroying Iran's nuclear capability so they won't get wiped off the map (see that natural response - it's called protecting itself?)
4. Iran may use that as an excuse to launch a nuclear attack? (LOL)
5. YOU called Israel RETARDED.
6. You don't believe Israel should protect themselves
7. Ergo, you are either anti-Israel or stupid.

I've never seen people so frightened of Iran, which is a half-assed country that would fold like a tent if Israel decided to go all-out. Go boo-hoo in your little tent, little man.

Your reasoning is simply astonishing (in a moronic way).

1) It is most likely that Iran is developing nukes, there isn't absolute concreate evidence.
2) Iran has been threatening that for a long time
3) I agree, the threats and high probability that Iran is developing a nuke is reason enough to attack; I never said it wasn't, what I am saying is, "DO NOT ATTACK WITH NUKES" (Remember the key word). Israel has the capabilities to entirely flatten Iran's military, let alone a "nuclear power plant".
4) No, if Israel were to attack Iran with nukes first, that would be an excuse to retaliate with nukes and give other Israel hating countries reason to seek nuclear weapons to attack with. Point is, Israel doesn't need and shouldn't be the one to "nuke first" and they can effectively destroy Iran's nuclear capabilites without doing so (see above). Opening the 'Nuclear Warfare' door is bad for everyone.
5) I said they are retarded IF they use nukes, missed a key word again I see.
6) There's that fools-logic again...

Huh? Just another stupid ad-hominem attack with baseless accusations.

 

[TheDude]

P.S. 95 - when speaking of artillery and weapons and such it's ORDNANCE. An ORDINANCE is a law enacted by a city/town or county.

Awesome.

 

[MAC1]

Don't be a Fossten... I said "an excuse to attack in return with nuclear ordinance", not just an excuse to attack.

The operative word you used that I was responding to is "excuse." You prefaced your comment based on Israel attacking first. However, my point is that neither Iran or Syria in particular need any "excuse" to attack Israel, whether offensively or in retaliation, as evidenced by the fact that both countries have been attacking Israel for decades through terrorist groups as their proxies. The latest being Hezbollah's unprevoked attack.