Closer to an Israeli strike on Iran’s nukes?
US Vice President Joe Biden refused to condemn or rule out such an attack, and Israel has secured Saudi support, a report suggests.
By Mark Sappenfield | Staff writer 07.05.09
Speculation about a potential Israeli strike against nuclear facilities in Iran gained momentum Sunday.
The Sunday Times has reported that Saudi Arabia would allow Israel to use its airspace for such an attack. By doing this, Israel would eliminate the need to get American approval to fly over Iraq.
Yet Vice President Joe Biden refused to condemn a potential Israeli strike on ABC’s This Week.
“We cannot dictate to a sovereign nation what it can and cannot do,” Mr. Biden said. Pressed further, he added: “Israel has the right to determine what is in its best interests.”
Though Biden refused to be drawn into speculation, the vice president’s statement will be welcomed by Israel. With President Obama openly trying to court the Arab world, many in Israel worry that Israel’s historic, intimate relationship with the US is deteriorating.
This appears to be one of the reasons Israel sought Saudi Arabia’s approval for an attack on Iran – it sought a plan that would not require American complicity. For its part, Saudi Arabia, which is a Sunni Muslim country, sees Shiite Iran as a rival and does not want Iran to gain nuclear weapons.
Israeli fighters could do significant damage to Iranian nuclear facilities, Chairman of the Join Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen told The Wall Street Journal in April.
The Times of London reports that, at one point, Israel’s secret plans to destroy Iranian uranium-enrichment facilities at Natanz included low-yield nuclear “bunker-buster” bombs – the first use of nuclear weapons since World War II.
Admiral Mullen has said that the situation risks destabilizing the region, no matter what the outcome. If Israel attacks, potential Iranian counterattacks could put American troops in the region in harm’s way, he said in PBS in April. If Iran builds a nuclear weapon, rivals such as Saudi Arabia could be tempted to follow suit.
For Israel, however, the issue could be more clear-cut. A May poll by the Center for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University suggested that nearly 1 in 4 Israelis would consider leaving the country.
The head of the center told Ha’aretz newspaper that the poll reflected an exaggerated fear among Israelis. “Iran’s leadership is religiously extremist but calculated and it understands an unconventional attack on Israel is an act of madness that will destroy Iran,” said David Menashri.
If Israel strikes Iran, the Iranian response against Israel could be severe. The terrorist group Hezbollah, which is affiliated with the Iranian regime, has some 42,000 rockets, according to Defense Minister Ehud Barak. It could target cities across Israel.
But hawks say the recent election in Iran – and the violent repression that followed disputed results – show that Iran’s leadership cannot be trusted. “It will be even harder to make the case that Iran’s quest for nuclear power can be excused, trusted, understood, or explained away,” wrote Emanuele Ottolenghi, executive director of the Transatlantic Institute in Brussels, in The Australian.
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2. george owens | 07.05.09
I hope this is not considered an invitation to invade or bomb Iran. Remember what happened to Kuwait when an official stated that there would be no problem with an attack.
3. Devon Shaw | 07.05.09
The vice president’s words seem beyond hypocritical. Our foreign policy is enough evidence to conclude that we pick and choose which nations have a right to their sovereignty. While this move may be good in the long run, it is also quite frightening because any strike on Iran would certainly raise tensions and terrorism across the Middle-East and perhaps abroad.
4. Mr Pepper | 07.05.09
Iran was immensely stupid for rigging the elections and undermining its unity. It converted strength to fragility at a single stroke. - As for an attack on Iran, and engaging the complicity of a moslem country to pummel a fellow moslem country - this shows me how mendacious and pussilanimous are the Arabs states, and Iran will not stop until the whole region is on fire.
A strike on Iran is yesterday’s news. The world lost its chance when Bush invaded Iraq. I see no other option but to accept life with a nuclearized Iran. Like it or not, it is going to happen. Perhaps other nations instead of burying their heads in Iraq’s sand should come up for air and realize that Iran is and will be the most potent and most important country in the middle east. This is a fact. No matter what we think of the religious cretins who rule Iran, the solution to Iran lies with Iranians.
The rest is wishful (and dangerous) thinking.
5. George Robertson | 07.05.09
Israel’s fears of an Iranian nuclear capacity are well-founded. All it would take would be three Hiroshima-size nukes in the right places and half of the country’s population would be gone in an instant. The Iranians know this, too, it’s no secret. What I don’t understand is why the Saudis would put their oil fields at risk in order to protect Israel, so I’m not sure that I give the BBC report a lot of credence. The Iranians could destroy Saudi oilfields now, even without a nuclear device or the means to deliver it. The fact that they do not do so shows a lack of desire to initiate conflict with another Islamic people as much as it does anything else, and because most of the people living around the Saudi oilfields are Shia. But I suspect those concerns would be swiftly set-aside if they were attacked by Israel flying through Saudi airspace.
6. Gurmit Singh | 07.05.09
“We cannot dictate to a sovereign nation what it can and cannot do,” Mr. Biden said.
Aha. So how can you tell Iran what to do and what not to do?. Iran is a sovereign nation and actually has a solid proven history of no-attack on any country unlike Isreal whose hands are totally dripping with innocent people blood. So this proves, that current US Admn is no different that Bush admn.
7. Bijan | 07.05.09
Axis of evil:
Religious fundamentalists of extreme right ( Jewish, Muslim or Christain ) acting in concert as shills for their respective oligarchies.
Let us work for the world peace and Support the democratic efforts all around the world. Support Iranian people in their fight against Iranian regime. Let us stop the war mongers in each and every one of our countries.
We are all in this together. We are the human race. We need to stop the monsters every where who want to spread fear and hatred and war for their own interests and control.
8. molsen | 07.05.09
Isreal will under estimate iranian nationalism we cannot stop them from being stupid but we can take care of them in the long term.
9. Sara | 07.06.09
I’ve never understood why it’s OK for Israel to have nuclear weapons, but not Iran. Pakistan and India both have nukes too. Who are we to say which nation “deserves” it? Why does the US remain silent when Israel commits war crimes against the Palestinian people too? Yes, there are 6 million Jews in the US, but most take a middle ground approach to peace… wanting rights for the Palestinians as well as the Israelis. I no of no Jew who feels that Israel had a right to kill so many, bomb the UN establishments, etc. in the Gaza War.
Better plan for Israel is to give the Palestinians the rights they were guaranteed by the UN when Israel was founded… thus negating the Palestinian issue. Shi’ites and Sunnis may hate each other 99% of the time, but if Israel attacks Iran… they’ll all by One Muslim Ummah and the results will be WWIII.
Can’t believe that the Saudis would give the green light too. Enough resentment of the corrupt Saudi Royals as it is. Just asking for more Bin Ladens to rise up… just like he did in response to US using Saudi as a base during the first Gulf War.
10. goodman naorem | 07.06.09
no sovereign country of the world has no right to attack another sovereign country of the world just because it’s going to be a threat!
11. PJT | 07.06.09
It is incomprehensible that US policy would condone such an attack. Its time to stop giving an unconditional green light to everything Israel wants. Israel’s genocide of Palestinians, especially in the Gaza strip, is unconscionable and the US should spend more time standing up for true moral integrity.
12. che | 07.06.09
Biden is full of crap. If Israel attacks Iran, then Israel deserves all that it gets and vice versa. And I doubt Saudi Arabia would allow Israel to use its aierspace unless there was significant movement on the Palestinian issue.
13. SkysoldierReconLRS | 07.06.09
Sounds like Biden just gave Israel the “green light”…US forces in Iraq, Gulf, A-stan better be ready for a counter-strike. Its coming, and it won’t be long. Low-yield bunker busters are part of the US arsenal. Thats the only way to get to underground facilities and asssure destruction. Thats a lock. They will be used.
14. lois swartz | 07.06.09
Joe Biden’s comment about Iran is not wise. We should not be supporting nuking anyone. Biden “was making nice to Israel” while Bibi’s intractability vis a vis expansion of settlements and closing settlements makes it difficult to talk peace. Reports from both B’tzelem and Amnesty are unequivocal about Hamas breaking international law bombing civilians, however Israel made war on Gaza. America has a long standing and strong relationship with Israel ,but our first consideration for long term peace in the region should take top priority with good diplomacy and not knee jerk support. France gave Israel the bomb after Sinai campaign. We should be talking non proliferation not spporting Israel’s threats to bomb Iran. Israel’s continuing blockade of Gaza effects move toward peace. Obama’s Cairo speech may become a friendly gesture if the US doesn’t act as a fair broker in the Middle East. We should not intervene militarily with Iran’s election nor should be encourage Israel to do so.
16. Roberto | 07.06.09
Remember that the comments came from Biden and thus have no credibility. There is no telling what will come out of this guy’s mouth. Most folks try to think before they speak. Biden trys to think but can’t quite make it.
17. Sean Arnold | 07.06.09
I’m not sure I like Vice President Joe Biden’s theory on letting a sovereign nation do as they like. Thats not how we are approching North Korea. Or is it just Isreal can do as they like.
18. Nick G | 07.06.09
Of course the Saudis will allow Israel to do this. A powerful Iran is much more a threat to Saudi Arabia than it is to Israel. Biden’s words, as others said, are hypocrisy that continue to undermine American credibility.
The Iranian government doesn’t really care about the Palestinians (helping Sunni Arabs?), nor are they particularly concerned with Israel. What does Iran stand to gain by attacking Israel? This is about Arabs vs Persians, not Jews. They help Hamas in order to exert the limited influence they have in the Arab world, not because another Sunni Arab state would benefit them. They want a Shi’a revival. There are enough Shi’a around the King’s oil fields that empowerment from Iran would be big trouble for the Saud family…
19. Don Voss | 07.06.09
V.P. Joe Biden’s comments, “We cannot dictate to a sovereign nation what it can and cannot do,” and “Israel has the right to determine what is in its best interests.” can just as readily be applied to Iran.
To state that Israel sought Saudi approval for a flyover on the way to Iran, rather than U.S. approval to fly over Iraq, as a way to avoid American complicity, simply does not hold water. Our congress authorized the 100 nuclear bunker bombs Israel has in it’s arsenal this past December. We also sent then the fuel tankers to make the long trip possible. We have also sent them the latest version of the Patriot and our very latest radar. American complicity is no longer a question. Without our U.S. government, Israel could only wish to attack Iran - it would not be possible.
If Iran wished harm on Jews, they have over 40,000 Jews in Iran to attack. This does not happen. One member of the Iranian parliament is Jewish. Normally it takes 100,000 Iranians to garner one representative. At least five Kosher delis exist in Tehran, and one Jewish hospital. This belies a desire by the Iranian leadership to wish harms on Jews. The Iranian president had referred to “the Zionist leadership”, not Jews in general.
As it is, Iran has had over 20 unannounced inspections of its nuclear facilities. There is no evidence it is intended for weapons production, or that the uranium used is weapons grade. Israel, on the other hand, does have weapons of mass destruction, and is the only nuclear power in the Mideast. They have never signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, and unlike Iran, never had an international nuclear inspection.
20. Don Voss | 07.06.09
Would like to suggest that the latest comments be published first, so each has a chance to be listed first.
21. Ideacanon | 07.06.09
VP Biden once again did not think before he spoke. The US always tells other sovereign nations what to do and when they don’t follow along the US well interfere and and inoculate a democratic solution. However, when it comes to Israel its like God dubbed them immunity to criminal responsibilities.
22. Drew | 07.06.09
The ultra cruel and sadistic imams and ayatollahs in Iran are representative of the very worst in inverted-logic, thinking errors, and an appaling record of barbarous cruelty to Iranians. Iranian government isn’t fit to handle whips and canes, as it does to its own people, let alone hold weapons of such mass-destruction. There is no telling what delusion will entertain the numb minds of the ruling ayatollahs, in all their blindness & insanity. Little wonder the speculation regarding a pre’emptive strike by Israel is playing into this islamic game of pressure, threat and brinksmanship. Signed, The Grand Kaffir of Infidelistan.
23. Reaver | 07.07.09
It is most unfortunate that the Israelis will probably be using American bunker busting nukes. I believe that they would capable of producing their own in time. Why are we transferring our nuclear weapons technology for the Israelis sake? If they wish to bomb Iran so badly, they should do it using their own homegrown technology. Frankly, I am tired of them getting some of America’s most advanced weapons systems and then turning around and selling them to just anyone. They cannot be trusted and we owe them nothing.
24. Repa | 07.07.09
“We cannot dictate to a sovereign nation what it can and cannot do,”
Ha, ha Good old Biden, he’s always good for a laugh…listen an maybe you’ll hear: Mossadegh, Arbenz, Allende, Castro and Saddam H laughing along too
25. david | 07.15.09
I,m waiting to see Israel attack, it should be hard for Israel , only they will stop irans plan 1 or 2 year more, so each 2 years Iran will recive Israel attack, we are talking about country with 70 millon , and 3 time od California state, 2 oil reserve, are some body imagine the day afther iran boombing, Israel is going to do a big mistake, and the world will pay it, some time the world will think about it.
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1. Bloodyscot | 07.05.09
It already too late, an air strike would not stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons, only slow in down some. Iran has a fair airforce and newer radar from China, so I think Israel will lose some aircraft in a raid. A raid 3 or 4 years ago was needed, now it is mostly too late.