US 'refuses to give Israel bombs' fearing Iran strike

AFP ^ | 09/11/08 | Staff

[forkinsocket]

The United States has turned down an Israeli request for "bunker buster" bombs and mid-air refuelling planes for fear they could be used to attack Iran, the Haaretz newspaper said.

The US administration also refused to give permission for Israeli fighter jets to fly over Iraq -- the quickest route to Iran, it said.

Israel, the region's sole if undeclared nuclear armed state, considers Iran its main strategic threat because of its own atomic programme, which Israel and its main US ally suspect is aimed at developing weapons.

Iran has repeatedly denied the allegations, insisting it wants only to provide electricity for its growing population when its fossil fuels run out.

Military experts believe the GBU-28 "bunker busters" Israel had requested could be effective against Iran's underground uranium enrichment facility at Natanz in central Iran.

[forkinsocket]

.

[onedoug]

Some war, eh?

[Westbrook]

> Some war, eh?

I submit that it’s an alibi.

Different story under the hood ...

[curiosity]

Although some hothead Freepers aren't going to like it, it is a good move.

War with Iran is not in our interests at the present time. Perhaps in the future, but now is not the right time.

Persident Bush is being very wise in keeping Israel on a leash, at least for now.

[poobear]

‘wink’

[The Sons of Liberty]

Let’s do it and say we didn’t - after all “it depends on what the meaning of is, is”

[freebird5850]

Israel has flown over countries without permission before to get the job done.

[taildragger]

Excuse me fo putting on my critical thinking cap here but....

What is stopping Israel from knowing not only enough about the GU to build it but inhance it.....

The question is can the build enough of them in the time frame they need....

[iopscusa]

looks like the Israelis will have to go Nuke on the derkies now...is that the better solution...what the hell is going on with this?

[LibWhacker]

Right, we fear that more than we fear Iran having nukes, riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Perhaps in the future, but now is not the right time.

Disagree. Now is the right time. The wrong time will be after Iran possesses nuclear weapons - unfortunately there appear to be a number of people in the US foreign policy establishment who think a nuclear-armed Iran is acceptable.

[rahbert]

deception only works when people are fooled..

[VOA]

What is stopping Israel from knowing not only enough about
the GU to build it but inhance it.....

Probably just time and money.
To get enough of them quickly enough. And not running up a
onerous bill doing the research to build their own.
(Which of course they certainly have the capability of doing.)

[P8riot]

Oh yeah, that’ll stop them.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Folks ? about 30 mins ago... ( and I hope I heard it correctly ) ... I hope I heard it right on the radio ( local radio station ) on this news report from the middle east from Jerusalem... that ? Iran ( may have ) just detonated a nuclear devise under ground....

[mojito]

"...unfortunately there appear to be a number of people in the US foreign policy establishment who think a nuclear-armed Iran is acceptable.

Like Barack Obama and Joe Biden the entire State Department.

[Polybius]

Israel has flown over countries without permission before to get the job done.

But a never over a country, like Iraq, where the air space is patrolled and totally controlled by the U.S. Air Force.

The war with Iran will come at the exact time of the America's choosing. Not after. Not before.

[Cicero]

Who knows?

We also have another huge fleet buildup in the Gulf, apparently. Another bluff? Who knows?

I’d feel a lot better about this if the Israeli government weren’t in the hands of those jerks in Kadima, the same guys who mismanaged the attack on Lebanon and aren’t really happy unless they can turn the IDF against the Settlers.

[Nat Turner]

LOL this is classic "W"... by "officially" denying the weapons to Israel they can then say they did not supply them the tools they WILL use when they strike.

If anyone thinks that they CAN'T develop or DON'T currently own such devices is whistling in the dark.

[mojito]

Maybe this?

“Iran earthquake triggers N-bomb test scare globally”

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Iran_quake_triggers_N-bomb_scare/articleshow/3468900.cms