 |
SwiftVets.com
Service to Country
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
shawa
CNO
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 2004
|
 Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:14 am Post subject: Israel Readies Forces For Strike On Nuclear Iran |
 |
|
| Quote: | The Sunday Times UK
December 11, 2005
Israel readies forces for strike on nuclear Iran
Uzi Mahnaimi, Tel Aviv, and Sarah Baxter, Washington
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.
“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.
“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”. |
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1920074,00.html
I wonder about the Israelis leaking of this info now. Unless it's a ruse and Israel plans to attack much sooner than late March. I looks to me that the pressure is on and their window of opportunity is shrinking fast, with the Russians launching a spy satellite for Iran and signing a deal for the Tor-M1 systems capable of destroying guided missiles and laser-guided bombs from aircraft. Time is of the essence for the Israelis.
_________________
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” (Thomas Paine, 1776) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Wing Wiper
Rear Admiral
Joined: 09 Aug 2004
Posts: 664
Location: Oregon
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 3:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: | 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.
|
And how long would a unit stay at that state of rediness? Not long, in my opinion. Not until next March.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Schadow
Vice Admiral
Joined: 30 Sep 2004
Posts: 936
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 3:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
Here's an info sheet on the Tor M1 system:
http://www.defense-update.com/products/t/tor.htm
It looks like a major nuisance but not immune from being taken out. The system is based on a tracked vehicle carrying 8 radar-guided missiles. The fire control can simultaneously track 48 incoming and fire on two at a time.
Satellites should be able to pretty well detect where these things are parked and that alone should give a clue as to why they're in a particular place. Can you say "high-value target"?
It may be simplistic to suggest that Tor M1 is vulnerable to a swarm attack of real incoming with a mix of decoys, but it just strikes me that it's not some kind of ultimate air defense weapon. Sharon/Netanyahu just have to scramble more planes, knock out Tors then go deep with some bunker busters.
It would be fascinating to know the games that are in play with the intel on this plan (or non-plan) to strike Iran. A tangled web, no doubt. I just hope our CIA is out of the loop on this one so leaking is at a minimum. God, I hate to have to say that.
Schadow
_________________
Capt, 8th U.S. Army, Korea '53 - '54 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dusty
Admiral
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 1264
Location: East Texas
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 4:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
I bet we don't have to worry about Israeli Intelligence sharing very much knowledge of their plans with our CIA Schadow.
Would not surprise me that the first our CIA knows of an Israeli attack on Iran is when stuff starts blowing up.
Dusty
_________________
Left and Wrong are the opposite of Right! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
GenrXr
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 05 Aug 2004
Posts: 1720
Location: Houston
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 5:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
We will take out Iran and Syria in one blow.
Clever.
Kudos to our mil hist ops.
_________________
"An activist is the person who cleans up the water, not the one claiming its dirty."
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Founder of Conservative Philosophy |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
I B Squidly
Vice Admiral
Joined: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 879
Location: Cactus Patch
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 7:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
I was in ROTC '65-67 and toured McDonnell's St.Louis plant in '66 then building F4 Phantoms. I remember the guide giving the flight characteristics and then apres pos of nothing marveling how the Israelis had halved the turn radius, other design spec's and "We, don't know how they do it!" The next June everyone else was able to marvel as well, but 34 on the USS Liberty would never know. Only God in his wisdom......
I don't know how much we knew about Osirak. I do know it was a nuclear alert, toe to toe with Ivan that saved the Yom Kippur War. I'l never forget the con' trails that October!
The Liberty had three sister ships. One, Pueblo represents the nadir of US naval operations during the Cold War (the Walkers had a good twenty years selling the dailies for the 8 'Crypto's' the Navy never admitted losing). I'm sure Israel knew more about it than the NSA, so Dusty, on those two forelorn sisters I think you're correct.
I'ld like to repay Korea. I'ld like repay Teheran. Syria deserves it. Israel....I'l give the benefit. And, GenXr I hope you're right!
_________________
"KILL ALL THE LAWYERS!"
-Wlm Shakespeare |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wwIIvetsdaughter
Captain
Joined: 02 Sep 2004
Posts: 513
Location: McAllen, Texas
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I imagine some military satellite we have has the capablility to blind the Sinah-1 Iranian satellite in such a fashion it will be attributed to the Sun. Perhaps such a move would come just before Isreal's attack on Iran. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PhantomSgt
Vice Admiral
Joined: 10 Sep 2004
Posts: 972
Location: GUAM, USA
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
| wwIIvetsdaughter wrote: | | I imagine some military satellite we have has the capablility to blind the Sinah-1 Iranian satellite in such a fashion it will be attributed to the Sun. Perhaps such a move would come just before Isreal's attack on Iran. |
Can you say Airborne Laser?
Star Wars has arrived.
_________________
Retired AF E-8
Independent that leans right of center. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dusty
Admiral
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 1264
Location: East Texas
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
Actually, star wars went operational while Ronnie was still president.
Dusty
_________________
Left and Wrong are the opposite of Right! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PhantomSgt
Vice Admiral
Joined: 10 Sep 2004
Posts: 972
Location: GUAM, USA
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
| dusty wrote: | Actually, star wars went operational while Ronnie was still president.
Dusty |
Star Wars was cut dramatically to pacify the Rushkies and then given resurrection under Bush 43.
President George W. Bush renewed the missile defense program in December 2002 when he advised Russia that the U.S. is withdrawing from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. September 11th was part of his message as he warned that the threat to both countries came from terrorists and "rogue states".
_________________
Retired AF E-8
Independent that leans right of center. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
