Israel could strike Iran in spring

[Dan and Judy 614]

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta believes there is a "strong possibility" that Israel will strike Iran's nuclear installations this spring, the Washington Post said Thursday in an editorial.

When asked about the opinion piece by reporters travelling with him to a NATO meeting in Brussels, Panetta brushed it aside.

"I'm not going to comment on that. David Ignatius can write what he will but with regards with what I think and what I view, I consider that to be an area that belongs to me and nobody else," he said.

"Israel indicated they're considering this (a strike), we've indicated our concerns," he added.

The Post columnist said Panetta "believes there is a strong likelihood that Israel will strike Iran in April, May or June before Iran enters what Israelis described as a 'zone of immunity' to commence building a nuclear bomb."

President Barack Obama and Panetta are "said to have cautioned the Israelis that the United States opposes an attack, believing that it would derail an increasingly successful international economic sanctions program and other non-military efforts to stop Iran from crossing the threshold," he said.

"But the White House hasn’t yet decided precisely how the United States would respond if the Israelis do attack."

Panetta said Sunday in an interview with CBS that Iran needed "about a year" to produce enough enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon, and one or two more years to "put it on a deliverable vehicle."

Iran insists its nuclear project is peaceful and has threatened retaliation over the fresh sanctions, including possibly disrupting shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Israeli media reported in October last year that the option of pre-emptive air strikes on Iran was opposed by the country's intelligence services but favored by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Ehud Barak.

Israeli television said Mossad chief Tamir Pardo raised the possibility of a unilateral strike on Iran during a visit last week to Washington.

http://news.yahoo.com/panetta-says-israel-could-strike-iran-spring-report-232458035.html

[AMP 54]

I think ts going to be in the heat of summer. unleash the dogs of hell

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

I think ts going to be in the heat of summer. unleash the dogs of hell

Wow, just plain wow.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Saw this on Drudge Report already... *Yawn*

[AMP 54]

Wow, just plain wow.

do you really think Israel is going to attack or publicize when it's going to do so. also how do you know Iran is not going o be the first.

Edited February 3, 2012 by AMP

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

do you really think Israel is going to attack or publicize when it's going to do so. also how do you know Iran is not going o be the first.

This is being put out to defuse the situation. Israel's timeline is being driven by Netanyahu's poll numbers more than anything else. By getting this out now, the Likud's drumbeat is being muffled. Israel is threaten by the Iran's willingness to restart the negotiations, and by the possibility that sanctions actually might have been effective.

[Dan and Judy 614]

This is being put out to defuse the situation. Israel's timeline is being driven by Netanyahu's poll numbers more than anything else. By getting this out now, the Likud's drumbeat is being muffled. Israel is threaten by the Iran's willingness to restart the negotiations, and by the possibility that sanctions actually might have been effective.

how does Israel benefit by the sanctions not being effective?

[Ban Hammer 13,530]

one post removed for anti semitism.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

how does Israel benefit by the sanctions not being effective?

Netanyahu and Likud want a shooting war, the only justification for them to stay in power. Otherwise, they are toast this next election.

[Dan and Judy 614]

Netanyahu and Likud want a shooting war, the only justification for them to stay in power. Otherwise, they are toast this next election.

If they want one, what is stopping them from starting one? Is the saber rattling sufficient? Are they not really concerned about Iran having nuclear weapons

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

February 01, 2012

17:52 Netanyahu bests party rival, early Israel polls likely: Israel's hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today won a landslide victory against his sole opponent in the Likud party primary polls, the result which will shore up his position within, raising speculation of early general elections.

Netanyahu defeated his rival Moshe Feiglin, raising speculation of early polls, which are scheduled for late 2013. With 85 per cent of the votes tallied, Likud sources said the premier beat his rival by 75 to 24 per cent.

http://news.rediff.com/commentary/2012/feb/01/liveupdates.htm

[ready4ONE 5,400]

If they want one, what is stopping them from starting one? Is the saber rattling sufficient? Are they not really concerned about Iran having nuclear weapons

I doubt Israel really 'wants' a shooting war, although I have little doubt they have plans should they deem one necessary. My hunch is the USA is one significant barrier, as are several other major world powers. Some regional powers, the Saudis come to mind, might welcome such a strike.

Nobody in their right mind 'wants' Iran to achieve obtaining nuclear weapons. Guess we all just have to wait and see.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

If they want one, what is stopping them from starting one? Is the saber rattling sufficient? Are they not really concerned about Iran having nuclear weapons

Not anymore than Israel's neighbors are concerned about Israel having nuclear weapons.

[slim 1,530]

"But the White House hasn’t yet decided precisely how the United States would respond if the Israelis do attack."

How about not responding at all?

[MyLittlePony 340]

Just a excuse to control the oil.