Headline should read:
Israel stops another muslim dictatorship from making nukes!
Posted on 01/06/2007 6:52:13 PM PST by SmithL
Israel has drawn up plans to destroy Iran's uranium enrichment facilities with tactical nuclear weapons, according to a report in the London-based Sunday Times on Sunday morning.
The British newspaper said that two IAF squadrons had been training to blow up an enrichment plant in Natanz using low-yield nuclear "bunker busters."
A heavy water plant at Arak and a uranium conversion plant at Isfahan would also be targeted, using conventional bombs, according to the Sunday Times.
Reportedly, the plan envisaged conventional laser-guided bombs opening "tunnels" into the targets. Nuclear warheads would then be fired into the plant at Natanz, exploding deep underground to reduce radioactive fallout.
IAF pilots have flown to Gibraltar in recent weeks to train for the 2,000 mile round-trip to the Iranian targets, the Sunday Times said, adding that three possible routes to Iran had been mapped out including one over Turkey.
The Sunday Times suggested that Israel may be trying to scare Iran or to cajole the US into taking stronger action against Teheran's nuclear program.
However, the report went on to speculate that Israel may strike at Iran's nuclear facilities and pressure the Americans to agree with the move after the event.
In March 2005 The Sunday Times reported that Israel had drawn up secret plans for a combined air and ground attack on targets in Iran if diplomacy failed to halt the Iranian nuclear program.
The newspaper then claimed that the inner cabinet of former prime minister Ariel Sharon, had given "initial authorization" for an attack at a private meeting on his ranch in the Negev.
You're on to something but hitting both underground targets and above ground targets simultaneously have several advantages over hitting just one type of target.
With above ground targets, your objective is not necessarily to totally destroy the target, which usually has deep underground components. Rather it is to destroy the support buildings and PERSONNEL, people who might be hard to replace in the near future.
By hitting underground targets, you are aiming to cripple or destroy the heart of the threat, namely weapons depots, weapons manufacturing machinery that is more valuable than that above ground, to kill as many key staffers as possible, and to seal off the site from reconstruction for a long time.
I'm a "two-fer" kinda guy. A one-two punch, delivered simultaneously at several or even dozens of targets, would be the only effective way to achieve your objectives.
To add in a few other options, simultaneous rocket/UV attacks on exposed oil pipelines and pumping stations would do severe damage to Iran's oil exporting industry. Other rocket attacks on Iranian missile boat facilities would help to eliminate threats to the Persian Gulf and the US naval task forces operating there.
There are two times for optimal effect attacks - 3:00 AM, and 11:30 AM, surprise and maximum destruction versus surprise, maximum destruction and maximum casualties among staffers.
It is time to thin the herd.
"newspaper reported....training to blow up an enrichment plant in Natanz using low-yield nuclear "bunker busters."
A conventional attack is more of a real threat. Seasoned nuclear countries understand that nuke warfare results in only losers - economies, infrastructure, etc., will be in chaos. Threats are the only practical use for nukes.
That said, newbies don't always understand this, hence the high level consultations afforded India and Pakistan back when they seemed a bit 'itchy.'
Israel is a bit of an X factor, you'd have to imagine, since pre-emptive strike is only realistic option they would have in full scale war. They have no 'win' scenario. Ever. They can only hope to keep the enemy at bay, and that takes a maddeningly give and take approach with threats, limited engagements, and undesirable compromises. Sabre rattling is all part and parcel.
How good could this plan possibly be if the mainstream media knows about it, and, because the mainstream media knows about this, so does Iran?
Headline should read:
Israel stops another muslim dictatorship from making nukes!
I don't see high explosive bombs creating tunnels. Any experts out there, who could tell us, if that is a sensible scenario?
We have reports of increased US/British naval activities in the Persian Gulf along with Gulf Arab State naval exercises. We have the reports of a surge in US ground forces for Iraq. Is it possible that Bush is actually getting serious about winning the war on the global jihad and will attack Iran?
And more power to them. Who can argue against Israel's perspective here (as well laid out by the origional London Times article)...except those that want it eliminated, which is exactly the point.
I bet a massise earthquake takes place in Iran in the next 72 hours.
PING!
Why even say it.
My gut tells me Israel doesn't have the guts to do this in this day and age. Sad.
Your right no guts no glory! Who leaked this one ?
Israel.
Wow ...... that's a disturbing thought.
Yes, and eventually it's going to get us all killed.
The MSM is totally out of control. Why was this in print? Is the Times UK daring Iran to do something first? The MSM is really trying to get lots of people killed and will blame everyone but themselves. This is so irresponsible on many levels.
Yup....................way....Way.....WAYYYYY overdue!!
It's not irresponsible, in my opinion, it's a conscious plan.
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