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Israeli plans for Iran go back years
Associated Press ^ | 3/12/2012 | Josef Federman

Posted on 03/12/2012 5:31:35 PM PDT by U-238

For more than a decade, Israel has systematically built up its military specifically for a possible strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. It has sent its air force on long-distance training missions, procured American-made "bunker-busting" bombs and bolstered its missile defenses.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threats to strike Iran, voiced last week during a high-profile visit to the White House, were not empty bluster. Although a unilateral Israeli attack would probably not destroy Iran's nuclear program, it appears capable, at least for now, of inflicting a serious blow.

"If Israel attacks, the intention is more to send a message of determination, a political message instead of a tactical move," said Yiftah Shapir, a former Israeli air force officer who is now a military analyst at the INSS think tank in Tel Aviv.

Israel, along with the United States and other Western countries, believes Iran has taken key steps toward developing nuclear weapons. The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency has cited this concern in reports, but notes its inspectors have found no direct evidence that Iran is moving toward an atomic weapon.

Israeli leaders, however, argue that time is quickly running out. They have grown increasingly vocal in their calls for tough concerted international action against Iran while stressing they are prepared to act alone if necessary.

Israeli defense officials believe Iran is capable of producing highly enriched weapons-grade uranium within six months. After that, it would require another year or two to develop a means of delivering a nuclear bomb, they predict.

But Israel believes the window to act will close much sooner than that. Officials say in the coming months Iran will have moved enough of its nuclear facilities underground and out of reach of conventional airpower, and that the world will be powerless to stop it.

(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: iran; israel; telaviv; wmd
Check out Project Daniel
1 posted on 03/12/2012 5:31:42 PM PDT by U-238
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To: U-238

But why? The UN, the Obama Regime, and many others have been reassuring us for many years that Iran’s nuclear weapons program is not yet close to producing nuclear weapons, that it’s not even a nuclear weapons program, and that the program is so close to success that it is impossible to even delay Iran from becoming a nuclear power. Why does Israel bother to try, when all the experts assure us that there is no point?

Note: Whatever the reason, I literally thank God daily for Israel and for their courage.


2 posted on 03/12/2012 5:35:49 PM PDT by Pollster1 (Natural born citizen of the USA, with the birth certificate to prove it)
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To: Pollster1
I literally thank God daily for Israel and for their courage

They are in a very tight position but they have been tight positions before and have come out victorious.
3 posted on 03/12/2012 5:38:33 PM PDT by U-238
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To: U-238

There is one simple equation involved.

If Israel cannot destroy Iran’s nuclear program, then it must destroy so many Iranians that they cannot continue with their nuclear program.

Iran thinks it is crafty protecting its nuclear weapons deep underground and in mountains. But they leave Israel no alternative but to wipe out the Iranian people.

If Israel must use nuclear weapons to do this, hopefully they will use air burst neutron bombs, that will kill people but leave buildings and artifacts undamaged. It would be a shame to wipe out thousands of years of history.

People come and people go. History remains.


4 posted on 03/12/2012 6:11:26 PM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy
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To: U-238
Officials say in the coming months Iran will have moved enough of its nuclear facilities underground and out of reach of conventional airpower, and that the world will be powerless to stop it.

Underground facilities, hmmmmm! One would think that unless the weapons were topside, they could not be delivered to their target.
One would also think it would be easier to seal the entrances/exits and entomb them than to destroy fortified underground facilities.

It wouldn't matter how long they can exist underground because as long as they stayed there, they could do no harm.

Perhaps special forces could also introduce anthrax or similar pleasures into the facilities before entombing :-)

5 posted on 03/12/2012 6:36:08 PM PDT by varon (Congress is a sanctuary for political criminals)
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To: yefragetuwrabrumuy

Of all the nations on Earth, only China has neutron bombs - used and tested with great success on some Uyghur villages decades ago.


6 posted on 03/12/2012 6:36:12 PM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
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To: U-238
If Israel strikes now it will send the most effective message: If we can't stop you, against all diplomatic pressure and US resistance, we can certainly stop you with nukes. We have shown our resolve.

Now, go ahead and triple-dog dare us.

7 posted on 03/12/2012 6:38:19 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: PIF

Neutron bombs are old tech and I would guess a more modern nuclear device could be retrofitted if the effect was wanted.

Several such “designer” weapons would be very useful were Israel to attack Iran, such as an EMP detonation that would fry most of Iran’s electronics, even fouling up most of their motor vehicles. This would effectively neutralize many of their defenses and strongly reduce Israeli casualties. A very cost effective way of getting air superiority.

Likewise if the Iranians tried a massive missile salvo, an air burst detonation could raise Iranian overkill to 80% or more, making it much easier for Israeli anti-missile defenses.


8 posted on 03/12/2012 9:02:26 PM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy
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To: yefragetuwrabrumuy

bttt


9 posted on 03/12/2012 9:12:47 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
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To: yefragetuwrabrumuy

a more modern nuclear device could be retrofitted if the effect was wanted.

Who could improve on perfection - except to make a smaller neutron bomb - there is no other weapon that kills living organisms instantly over a wide area, leaving non-organic structures intact. Again, China would be the pioneer in this area.

EMP would likely have little effect on Iranian military as most if not all weapons systems from the US, Russia, and China are hardened.


10 posted on 03/13/2012 8:05:28 AM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
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