U.S. Official: Israel Might Attack Iran's Nuke Sites (Drudge)

Drudge Report ^ | Mon Jan 31 2005 | Matt Drudge

[West Coast Conservative]

American envoy John Bolton, the State Department's top international security official, repeated U.S. allegations Monday about an Iranian nuclear weapons program and said Israel might attack Iran's nuclear sites because the Jewish state has "a history" of such actions.

"The vice president said we're very concerned that this might happen," Bolton said, referring to a recent statement by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney.

"Israel destroyed the Osirak reactor in Iraq. They have a history of this," Bolton said.

Earlier this month Cheney said it was possible Israel might attack Iran if it became convinced Tehran posed a nuclear threat.

Israel's nuclear weapons program is thought to include about 200 warheads deployed on ballistic missiles and aircraft and on three submarines, according to the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Israel is also believed to stock chemical and biological weapons, according to the Carnegie Endowment and the Monterey Institute of International Studies, which track such issues.

Israeli officials do not comment on the country's nuclear weapons potential.

"Israel isn't a threat to the United States. We don't treat different cases the same," he said, adding that the United States favors "a Middle East free of all weapons of mass destruction."

Developing...

[Tarpaulin]

Again?

[mlbford2]

Let me know when I should start microwaving my popcorn. The Jooos will be condemned again by the lefties, EU and the moooslems. Then in 20yrs they will be applauded for it by historians. Same ol' same ol'.

[Fenris6]

"Israel might attack Iran's nuclear sites"

Gee ya think?

Been waiting on this one - will be tougher b/c Iran has dispersed its production around the country.

We've got to get a handle on this WMD stuff soon, and quit giving the villians lessons on how to adapt and adjust from our techniques.

[Rightliner.com]

Isreal, courage from necessity.

[pabianice]

Correct only if "might" means "will."

[1LongTimeLurker]

This might be a "dumb" question, but how could Israel attack Iran without U.S. support? Would it not need to fly through air-lanes controlled by the U.S.? And, would it not need refueling support?

[ProudVet77]

They don't need to hit all the targets to stop their program. Taking out the reactor is #1 on the hit parade, as it can enrich a lot more uranium then centrifuges. Hitting the top 10 targets will set them back a few years, which might give the Iranians time to overthrow their moolahs.
I hope we actually help them.

[El Conservador]

Anything wrong with that???

[fooman]

No, not at all.

[hermgem]

There are supposed to be European negotiators to keep Iran from developing atomic weapons.
Israels security is totally dependent upon an atomic free Iran, which threatened to wipe Israel out
How effective those old Europeans are in negotiations is questionable.
There is a dependency relationship between Iran and old Europe, in particular the Germans and French.
Germany's Chancellor Schroeder by claiming to be the world's export champions is thereby also confirming he's trapped.
70% of Schroeder's GDP in 2004 came from exports. Iran is a major customer, as can be seen when the Iranian army keeps pulling tractors and low bed trailers with rockets mounted. The Mercedes star is prominently displayed at the tractor's front grills.
Germany's unemployment just went up again beyond these devastating 10.8% with no end in sight.
Industries, including Department stores, Construction companies, Coal mining, are subsidized, or as it's called find guaranteed bankloans to go on as is.
Iran is heavily invested in German Industries, and funnels oil monies into old European banks to keep propping up their Euro currency against the dollar.
With such distressed negotiators Israel needs to be extremely cautious about such Iran dependents negotiating prowess and effectiveness.

[Fenris6]

"There are supposed to be European negotiators to keep Iran from developing atomic weapons"

Gee that gives me a warm fuzzy. I hear they are using the threat of sanctions [cough]. Maybe the Euroweasels are just looking for a new cash cow.

Diplomatic efforts will be useless. The Iranian leadership is not stupid - they've learned lessons from watching the world community handle Iraq and N Korea. Any negotiations will be used as stalling tactics to finish production or relocate it.

[Wiz]

They don't need support from US. They got the hi-tech stuff to do their job. They could also ask Turkey for support if they want. When Israel Air Force flies over Iraq, just let US know in advance so all radar sites in Iraq could go under maintenance. :)

[samadams2000]

I would keep some beer on ice. Oil the ole lazyboy.

[Bon mots]

This might be a "dumb" question, but how could Israel attack Iran without U.S. support?

We will be very busy looking the other way!
Go Israel! Do the job already!

[ASA Vet]

So when the Iranian Elint guys see all our radars go down they'll be to stupid to recognize it?

[thoughtomator]

We could do it once a week just to soil some turbans.

[America's Resolve]

I'm tired of Israel having to do our dirty work for us and having to take the diplomatic hits for it. We have far more leverage in the diplomatic/political circles and can take the hits better.

It's our world as well and we should have the cajones to do the job that has to be done without relying on outside support.

Godspeed

[America's Resolve]

Maybe the Euroweasels are just looking for a new cash cow.

Give the man a Cee-gar!

They HAVE a new cash cow

[hershey]

Oh, please, please let this be true.