Israel to attack Iran unless enrichment stops

[larrymeyer]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080606/...ran_mofaz_dc_3

Israel to attack Iran unless enrichment stops: minister
By Dan Williams
1 hour, 5 minutes ago



JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear sites looks "unavoidable" given the apparent failure of sanctions to deny Tehran technology with bomb-making potential, one of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's deputies said on Friday.

"If Iran continues with its program for developing nuclear weapons, we will attack it. The sanctions are ineffective," Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz told the mass-circulation Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

"Attacking Iran, in order to stop its nuclear plans, will be unavoidable," said the former army chief who has also been defense minister.

It was the most explicit threat yet against Iran from a member of Olmert's government, which, like the Bush administration, has preferred to hint at force as a last resort should U.N. Security Council sanctions be deemed a dead end.

Iran has defied Western pressure to abandon its uranium enrichment projects, which it says are for peaceful electricity generation rather than bomb-building. The leadership in Tehran has also threatened to retaliate against Israel -- believed to have the Middle East's only atomic arsenal -- and U.S. targets in the Gulf for any attack on Iran.

Mofaz also said in the interview that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has called for Israel to be wiped off the map, "would disappear before Israel does."

A spokesman for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert did not address Mofaz's comments directly but said that "all options must remain on the table" and said more could be done to put financial pressure on Tehran.

"Israel believes strongly that while the U.N. sanctions are positive, much more needs to be done to pressure the regime in Tehran to cease its aggressive nuclear program," spokesman Mark Regev said.

"We believe the international community should be considering further tangible steps such as embargoing refined petroleum headed for Iran, sanctions against Iranian businessmen traveling abroad, tightening the pressure on Iranian financial institutions and other such steps," he added.

Mofaz's remarks came as he and several other senior members of Olmert's Kadima Party prepare for a possible run for top office should a corruption scandal force the Israeli prime minister to step down.

Iranian-born Mofaz has been a main party rival of the Israeli prime minister, particularly following the 2006 elections when Olmert was forced to hand the defense portfolio to Labour, his main coalition partner, at Mofaz's expense.

Mofaz, who is also designated as a deputy prime minister, has remained privy to Israel's defense planning. He is a member of Olmert's security cabinet and leads regular strategic coordination talks with the U.S. State Department.

Israeli planes destroyed Iraq's nuclear reactor in 1981.

A similar Israeli sortie over Syria last September razed what the U.S. administration said was a nascent nuclear reactor built with North Korean help. Syria denied having any such facility.

Independent analysts have questioned, however, whether Israel's armed forces can take on Iran alone, as its nuclear sites are numerous, distant and well-fortified.

[bige64]

We can build a walmart with a nice big glass parking lot then...

[widearea]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080606/...ran_mofaz_dc_3

Independent analysts have questioned, however, whether Israel's armed forces can take on Iran alone, as its nuclear sites are numerous, distant and well-fortified.

I was wondering that myself...It would be great for Israel to take care of business for us but not sure they are up for it...Not questioning their resolve just their firepower...

[ChamberedRound]

I was wondering that myself...It would be great for Israel to take care of business for us but not sure they are up for it...Not questioning their resolve just their firepower...

There is no such thing as Israel "taking care" of things for us. Every nation of the world knows that Israel is sucking off the teat of the US, and that they don't do anything without at least implied support from our government. To do otherwise would mean the end of the longest running US-sponsored government in history. Without our dollars, the advantage given to them by our military technology, and the threat of further US involvement in the region, Israel would have been overrun a long time ago.

Our forefathers warned us about entangling alliances and getting involved in conflicts that don't directly threaten us, and IMHO we're still paying, both figuratively and monetarily, for the mistake that Truman made 60+ years ago.

[widearea]

There is no such thing as Israel "taking care" of things for us. Every nation of the world knows that Israel is sucking off the teat of the US, and that they don't do anything without at least implied support from our government. To do otherwise would mean the end of the longest running US-sponsored government in history. Without our dollars, the advantage given to them by our military technology, and the threat of further US involvement in the region, Israel would have been overrun a long time ago.

Our forefathers warned us about entangling alliances and getting involved in conflicts that don't directly threaten us, and IMHO we're still paying, both figuratively and monetarily, for the mistake that Truman made 60+ years ago.

I take it you are not a fan of pre-emptive strikes...

[whoshisface]

The only thing Iran threatens is Israel! They aren't coming for us! Israel should take care of this by themselves and they have all the firepower they need to wipe Iran off the map.. They won't bother to land troups in Iran, they will just bomb it into the stone age. Something we should've done to Iraq an then let them fight amongst themselves.. Ron Paul for president!

[sjohn26]

The only thing Iran threatens is Israel! They aren't coming for us! Israel should take care of this by themselves and they have all the firepower they need to wipe Iran off the map.. They won't bother to land troups in Iran, they will just bomb it into the stone age. Something we should've done to Iraq an then let them fight amongst themselves.. Ron Paul for president!

I have no problem with Israel taking care of things - as long as the U.S. doesn't get caught up in the "Older/Big brother" syndrome should Israel get whooped!

[reels18]

I have no problem with Israel taking care of things - as long as the U.S. doesn't get caught up in the "Older/Big brother" syndrome should Israel get whooped!

We will be blamed for it whether we participate or not, so we may as well get our licks in too.

I believe the US Navy will take out Iranian air defenses using carrier based planes, then Israel will attack with sub launched tomahawks.

[righteousbarbarian]

I thought it was determined that Iran didn't have a nuclear weapons program.

[pirateron]

The only thing Iran threatens is Israel! They aren't coming for us! Israel should take care of this by themselves and they have all the firepower they need to wipe Iran off the map.. They won't bother to land troups in Iran, they will just bomb it into the stone age. Something we should've done to Iraq an then let them fight amongst themselves.. Ron Paul for president!

Does WMD in Iraq sound familiar? The only friend of ours that was in danger was Isreal, 6 years later, Fine US soldiers are still dying in Iraq. How many Isrealies have died there?

Just saying....