Israel and Iran

I got
this article from the Times of
London. All I can say is that Israel is going to do what Israel needs to do.
No backing down.

The Sunday Times - World

March 13, 2005
Revealed: Israel plans strike on Iranian nuclear plant
Uzi Mahnaimi

ISRAEL has drawn up secret plans for a combined air and ground attack on
targets in Iran if diplomacy fails to halt the Iranian nuclear programme.

The inner cabinet of Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, gave “initial
authorisation” for an attack at a private meeting last month on his ranch in
the Negev desert.

Israeli forces have used a mock-up of Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment plant
in the desert to practise destroying it. Their tactics include raids by
Israel’s elite Shaldag (Kingfisher) commando unit and airstrikes by F-15 jets from
69 Squadron, using bunker-busting bombs to penetrate underground facilities.

The plans have been discussed with American officials who are said to have
indicated provisionally that they would not stand in Israel’s way if all
international efforts to halt Iranian nuclear projects failed.

Tehran claims that its programme is designed for peaceful purposes but
Israeli and American intelligence officials — who have met to share information in
recent weeks — are convinced that it is intended to produce nuclear weapons.

The Israeli government responded cautiously yesterday to an announcement by
Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, that America would support
Britain, France and Germany in offering economic incentives for Tehran to abandon its
programme.

In return, the European countries promised to back Washington in referring
Iran to the United Nations security council if the latest round of talks fails
to secure agreement.

Silvan Shalom, the Israeli foreign minister, said he believed that diplomacy
was the only way to deal with the issue. But he warned: “The idea that this
tyranny of Iran will hold a nuclear bomb is a nightmare, not only for us but for
the whole world.”

Dick Cheney, the American vice-president, emphasised on Friday that Iran
would face “stronger action” if it failed to respond. But yesterday Iran rejected
the initiative, which provides for entry to the World Trade Organisation and
a supply of spare parts for airliners if it co-operates.

“No pressure, bribe or threat can make Iran give up its legitimate right to
use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes,” said an Iranian spokesman.

US officials warned last week that a military strike on Iranian nuclear
facilities by Israeli or American forces had not been ruled out should the issue
become deadlocked at the United Nations.

Additional reporting: Tony Allen-Mills, Washington