Iran In The Crosshairs
This story was on the UK Times Online this morning. I'd suggest that Iran sit up and take notice before someone steps up and punches their ticket.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1920074,00.html
ISRAEL’S armed forces have been ordered by Ariel Sharon, the prime minister, to be ready by the end of March for possible strikes on secret uranium enrichment sites in Iran, military sources have revealed.
The order came after Israeli intelligence warned the government that Iran was operating enrichment facilities, believed to be small and concealed in civilian locations.
Iran’s stand-off with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over nuclear inspections and aggressive rhetoric from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, who said last week that Israel should be moved to Europe, are causing mounting concern.
The crisis is set to come to a head in early March, when Mohamed El-Baradei, the head of the IAEA, will present his next report on Iran. El-Baradei, who received the Nobel peace prize yesterday, warned that the world was “losing patience” with Iran.
A senior White House source said the threat of a nuclear Iran was moving to the top of the international agenda and the issue now was: “What next?” That question would have to be answered in the next few months, he said.
Defence sources in Israel believe the end of March to be the “point of no return” after which Iran will have the technical expertise to enrich uranium in sufficient quantities to build a nuclear warhead in two to four years.
Now, I know a lot of people out there are scratching their head and asking why I would even bring this up. First off, I didn't bring this subject up to begin with. Thomas did on Friday.
http://sydandvaughn.blogspot.com/2005/12/taking-point-on-iran-among-my-lay.html
Now, we all know that Iran's been desiring nuclear weapons for about the same amount of time Saddam Hussein was. Iran wants them for the same reason that Saddam wanted them. He wanted to wipe Israel off the map, and so does Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollah for the same reason. Ever since Israel was armed with nuclear weapons, every radical regime in the Middle East has decided that Israel is a clear and present danger to them. And for the life of me I have no idea why.
Israel wants to be left alone. They aren't the aggressors in this longstanding blood feud. If Israel's enemies would leave them alone, they'd live in peace. But they won't. This was evident from the moment the country was created by the Partition Plan in 1947. Israel has survived, endured, and thrived under each and every war started against it. It has taken land in the course of battle, and given it back. They have sat at the negotiating table and tried to hammer a peace out with as many of their neighbors as possible. The accord between the Jews and the Palestinians won't last long. Hamas has even stated they won't abide by whatever Abbas negotiates. They want Israel gone.
Which brings us back to the potential nuclear Iran.
“Israel — and not only Israel — cannot accept a nuclear Iran,” Sharon warned recently. “We have the ability to deal with this and we’re making all the necessary preparations to be ready for such a situation.”
The order to prepare for a possible attack went through the Israeli defence ministry to the chief of staff. Sources inside special forces command confirmed that “G” readiness — the highest stage — for an operation was announced last week.
Gholamreza Aghazadeah, head of the Atomic Organisation of Iran, warned yesterday that his country would produce nuclear fuel. “There is no doubt that we have to carry out uranium enrichment,” he said.
He promised it would not be done during forthcoming talks with European negotiators. But although Iran insists it wants only nuclear energy, Israeli intelligence has concluded it is deceiving the world and has no intention of giving up what it believes is its right to develop nuclear weapons.
A “massive” Israeli intelligence operation has been underway since Iran was designated the “top priority for 2005”, according to security sources.
Cross-border operations and signal intelligence from a base established by the Israelis in northern Iraq are said to have identified a number of Iranian uranium enrichment sites unknown to the the IAEA.
Since Israel destroyed the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq in 1981, “it has been understood that the lesson is, don’t have one site, have 50 sites”, a White House source said.
If a military operation is approved, Israel will use air and ground forces against several nuclear targets in the hope of stalling Tehran’s nuclear programme for years, according to Israeli military sources.
It is believed Israel would call on its top special forces brigade, Unit 262 — the equivalent of the SAS — and the F-15I strategic 69 Squadron, which can strike Iran and return to Israel without refuelling.
For the idiots out there, this isn't posturing on Israel's part. They're serious. They won't allow Iran to have the capabilities to make a nuclear wepon. It's just too risky for the region. Iran has terrorists that work on their behalf, including Hezbollah. I really don't want to see what Hezbollah is capable of with a crude warhead and a double-throw detonator. Don't get the idea I'm going to like the aftermath any more than I like the prospect of the initial nuclear attack. Israel will respond quickly and decisively. They have more nukes than Iran does, and their only serious supporters are Syria and Venenzuala. Neither nation has nukes.
Could someone else jump in on this fight? Possibly, but I doubt anyone would. Let's face it, no one wants to get into a pissing contest using nukes, but it could happen. That is why this news is a bit disturbing. If Israel can pull this off (and the administration can keep from publicly condemening the act) then we owe them our thanks. If they can't, I'd like to propose we have a fall-back plan. Negotiating with Iran will go nowhere. For crying out loud, they're demanding a heavy water reactor from the EU in their negotiations. That has got to be answered with an emphatic "no." Heavy water reactors produce just the sort of fissionable material that Iran needs.
“If we opt for the military strike,” said a source, “it must be not less than 100% successful. It will resemble the destruction of the Egyptian air force in three hours in June 1967.”
Aharon Zeevi Farkash, the Israeli military intelligence chief, stepped up the pressure on Iran this month when he warned Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, that “if by the end of March the international community is unable to refer the Iranian issue to the United Nations security council, then we can say the international effort has run its course”.
The March deadline set for military readiness also stems from fears that Iran is improving its own intelligence-gathering capability. In October it launched its first satellite, the Sinah-1, which was carried by a Russian space launcher.
“The Iranians’ space programme is a matter of deep concern to us,” said an Israeli defence source. “If and when we launch an attack on several Iranian targets, the last thing we need is Iranian early warning received by satellite.”
Russia last week signed an estimated $1 billion contract — its largest since 2000 — to sell Iran advanced Tor-M1 systems capable of destroying guided missiles and laser-guided bombs from aircraft.
“Once the Iranians get the Tor-M1, it will make our life much more difficult,” said an Israeli air force source. “The installation of this system can be relatively quick and we can’t waste time on this one.”
The date set for possible Israeli strikes on Iran also coincides with Israel’s general election on March 28, prompting speculation that Sharon may be sabre-rattling for votes.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the frontrunner to lead Likud into the elections, said that if Sharon did not act against Iran, “then when I form the new Israeli government, we’ll do what we did in the past against Saddam’s reactor, which gave us 20 years of tranquillity”.
Iran’s foreign minister met leading figures from three Islamic militant groups to co-ordinate a united front against Israel days before a recent escalation of attacks against Israeli targets shattered fragile ceasefires with Lebanon and the Palestinians, writes Hugh Macleod in Damascus.
The minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, held talks with leaders of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah in Damascus on November 15.
Among those who attended the meeting were Khaled Meshaal, the Hamas leader, and a deputy leader of Islamic Jihad, which claimed responsibility for last Monday’s suicide bombing of a shopping mall in Netanya that killed five Israeli citizens.
Ahmed Jibril, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine- General Command, was also present. “We all confirmed that what is going on in occupied Palestine is organically connected to what is going on in Iraq, Syria, Iran and Lebanon,” said Jibril.
Seven days after the talks, Hezbollah fired a volley of rockets and mortars at Israeli targets, sparking the fiercest fighting between the two sides since Israel’s withdrawal from south Lebanon five years ago.
I honestly have no problem with Israel dealing with this. I'd prefer that we do, but with us still tied up in Afghanistan and Iraq, we can't afford to. And should Israel deal with this we had better next to them, and tell the world that we support the move. Iran is a far deadlier enemy than Saddam Hussein was. Not only do they have the terrorist ties that run deeper than those associated with Saddam, but they are much, much closer to the goal that Saddam had.
Mistress Pundit
This story was on the UK Times Online this morning. I'd suggest that Iran sit up and take notice before someone steps up and punches their ticket.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1920074,00.html
ISRAEL’S armed forces have been ordered by Ariel Sharon, the prime minister, to be ready by the end of March for possible strikes on secret uranium enrichment sites in Iran, military sources have revealed.
The order came after Israeli intelligence warned the government that Iran was operating enrichment facilities, believed to be small and concealed in civilian locations.
Iran’s stand-off with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over nuclear inspections and aggressive rhetoric from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, who said last week that Israel should be moved to Europe, are causing mounting concern.
The crisis is set to come to a head in early March, when Mohamed El-Baradei, the head of the IAEA, will present his next report on Iran. El-Baradei, who received the Nobel peace prize yesterday, warned that the world was “losing patience” with Iran.
A senior White House source said the threat of a nuclear Iran was moving to the top of the international agenda and the issue now was: “What next?” That question would have to be answered in the next few months, he said.
Defence sources in Israel believe the end of March to be the “point of no return” after which Iran will have the technical expertise to enrich uranium in sufficient quantities to build a nuclear warhead in two to four years.
Now, I know a lot of people out there are scratching their head and asking why I would even bring this up. First off, I didn't bring this subject up to begin with. Thomas did on Friday.
http://sydandvaughn.blogspot.com/2005/12/taking-point-on-iran-among-my-lay.html
Now, we all know that Iran's been desiring nuclear weapons for about the same amount of time Saddam Hussein was. Iran wants them for the same reason that Saddam wanted them. He wanted to wipe Israel off the map, and so does Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollah for the same reason. Ever since Israel was armed with nuclear weapons, every radical regime in the Middle East has decided that Israel is a clear and present danger to them. And for the life of me I have no idea why.
Israel wants to be left alone. They aren't the aggressors in this longstanding blood feud. If Israel's enemies would leave them alone, they'd live in peace. But they won't. This was evident from the moment the country was created by the Partition Plan in 1947. Israel has survived, endured, and thrived under each and every war started against it. It has taken land in the course of battle, and given it back. They have sat at the negotiating table and tried to hammer a peace out with as many of their neighbors as possible. The accord between the Jews and the Palestinians won't last long. Hamas has even stated they won't abide by whatever Abbas negotiates. They want Israel gone.
Which brings us back to the potential nuclear Iran.
“Israel — and not only Israel — cannot accept a nuclear Iran,” Sharon warned recently. “We have the ability to deal with this and we’re making all the necessary preparations to be ready for such a situation.”
The order to prepare for a possible attack went through the Israeli defence ministry to the chief of staff. Sources inside special forces command confirmed that “G” readiness — the highest stage — for an operation was announced last week.
Gholamreza Aghazadeah, head of the Atomic Organisation of Iran, warned yesterday that his country would produce nuclear fuel. “There is no doubt that we have to carry out uranium enrichment,” he said.
He promised it would not be done during forthcoming talks with European negotiators. But although Iran insists it wants only nuclear energy, Israeli intelligence has concluded it is deceiving the world and has no intention of giving up what it believes is its right to develop nuclear weapons.
A “massive” Israeli intelligence operation has been underway since Iran was designated the “top priority for 2005”, according to security sources.
Cross-border operations and signal intelligence from a base established by the Israelis in northern Iraq are said to have identified a number of Iranian uranium enrichment sites unknown to the the IAEA.
Since Israel destroyed the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq in 1981, “it has been understood that the lesson is, don’t have one site, have 50 sites”, a White House source said.
If a military operation is approved, Israel will use air and ground forces against several nuclear targets in the hope of stalling Tehran’s nuclear programme for years, according to Israeli military sources.
It is believed Israel would call on its top special forces brigade, Unit 262 — the equivalent of the SAS — and the F-15I strategic 69 Squadron, which can strike Iran and return to Israel without refuelling.
For the idiots out there, this isn't posturing on Israel's part. They're serious. They won't allow Iran to have the capabilities to make a nuclear wepon. It's just too risky for the region. Iran has terrorists that work on their behalf, including Hezbollah. I really don't want to see what Hezbollah is capable of with a crude warhead and a double-throw detonator. Don't get the idea I'm going to like the aftermath any more than I like the prospect of the initial nuclear attack. Israel will respond quickly and decisively. They have more nukes than Iran does, and their only serious supporters are Syria and Venenzuala. Neither nation has nukes.
Could someone else jump in on this fight? Possibly, but I doubt anyone would. Let's face it, no one wants to get into a pissing contest using nukes, but it could happen. That is why this news is a bit disturbing. If Israel can pull this off (and the administration can keep from publicly condemening the act) then we owe them our thanks. If they can't, I'd like to propose we have a fall-back plan. Negotiating with Iran will go nowhere. For crying out loud, they're demanding a heavy water reactor from the EU in their negotiations. That has got to be answered with an emphatic "no." Heavy water reactors produce just the sort of fissionable material that Iran needs.
“If we opt for the military strike,” said a source, “it must be not less than 100% successful. It will resemble the destruction of the Egyptian air force in three hours in June 1967.”
Aharon Zeevi Farkash, the Israeli military intelligence chief, stepped up the pressure on Iran this month when he warned Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, that “if by the end of March the international community is unable to refer the Iranian issue to the United Nations security council, then we can say the international effort has run its course”.
The March deadline set for military readiness also stems from fears that Iran is improving its own intelligence-gathering capability. In October it launched its first satellite, the Sinah-1, which was carried by a Russian space launcher.
“The Iranians’ space programme is a matter of deep concern to us,” said an Israeli defence source. “If and when we launch an attack on several Iranian targets, the last thing we need is Iranian early warning received by satellite.”
Russia last week signed an estimated $1 billion contract — its largest since 2000 — to sell Iran advanced Tor-M1 systems capable of destroying guided missiles and laser-guided bombs from aircraft.
“Once the Iranians get the Tor-M1, it will make our life much more difficult,” said an Israeli air force source. “The installation of this system can be relatively quick and we can’t waste time on this one.”
The date set for possible Israeli strikes on Iran also coincides with Israel’s general election on March 28, prompting speculation that Sharon may be sabre-rattling for votes.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the frontrunner to lead Likud into the elections, said that if Sharon did not act against Iran, “then when I form the new Israeli government, we’ll do what we did in the past against Saddam’s reactor, which gave us 20 years of tranquillity”.
Iran’s foreign minister met leading figures from three Islamic militant groups to co-ordinate a united front against Israel days before a recent escalation of attacks against Israeli targets shattered fragile ceasefires with Lebanon and the Palestinians, writes Hugh Macleod in Damascus.
The minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, held talks with leaders of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah in Damascus on November 15.
Among those who attended the meeting were Khaled Meshaal, the Hamas leader, and a deputy leader of Islamic Jihad, which claimed responsibility for last Monday’s suicide bombing of a shopping mall in Netanya that killed five Israeli citizens.
Ahmed Jibril, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine- General Command, was also present. “We all confirmed that what is going on in occupied Palestine is organically connected to what is going on in Iraq, Syria, Iran and Lebanon,” said Jibril.
Seven days after the talks, Hezbollah fired a volley of rockets and mortars at Israeli targets, sparking the fiercest fighting between the two sides since Israel’s withdrawal from south Lebanon five years ago.
I honestly have no problem with Israel dealing with this. I'd prefer that we do, but with us still tied up in Afghanistan and Iraq, we can't afford to. And should Israel deal with this we had better next to them, and tell the world that we support the move. Iran is a far deadlier enemy than Saddam Hussein was. Not only do they have the terrorist ties that run deeper than those associated with Saddam, but they are much, much closer to the goal that Saddam had.
Mistress Pundit
posted by Syd And Vaughn | 4:21 PM
1 Comments:
Good blog. When our embassy was taken and the hostages held, that was an act of war. We should have taken aggressive action. Yes, the hostages would probably have been killed, but how many lives would be saved in the future? And each attack on us, was an of war and we did nothing. I've long said that Israel will not be forced into the sea and wiped off the map. Israel remembers the WW2 holocaust and their cry is never again. Nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran or any other terrorist regime will not be permitted. Rawriter
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