Pentagon Official Warns of Israeli Attack on Iran

Pentagon Official Warns of Israeli Attack on Iran

abcnews.go.com

Senior Pentagon officials are concerned that Israel could carry out an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities before the end of the year, an action that would have enormous security and economic repercussions for the United States and the rest of the world.

A senior defense official told ABC News there is an "increasing likelihood" that Israel will carry out such an attack, a move that likely would prompt Iranian retaliation against, not just Israel, but against the United States as well.

(visit the link for the full news article)



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I came across this news after European stock markets have dropped on early trading between 2.5 - 3%. This is what triggered the fear in the markets;

The official identified two "red lines" that could trigger an Israeli offensive. The first is tied to when Iran's Natanz nuclear facility produces enough highly enriched uranium to make a nuclear weapon.

and

The second red line is connected to when Iran acquires the SA-20 air defense system it is buying from Russia. The Israelis may want to strike before that system -- which would make an attack much more difficult -- is put in place.

Israel is planning one more exercise before any attack. No one knows if Israel has a date set out for an attack, but the Americans fear it is coming.

abcnews.go.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

The article gives the impression that the Pentagon fears for US troops in Iraq because Iran will see them as being a part of the attack, even though the United States will not take part in it.

Yesterday, the US navy said it would prevent any Iranian blockade of oil to the international markets.

reply to post by infinite


great, that will help

the problem is the strait of hormuz

www.lib.utexas.edu...

at its narrowest its 21miles wide - which is within artillery range , let alone ASM`s and litoral subs with skaval rocket-torps

so whilst the US might say it will `prevent` any iranian oil bloackade - what will `prevent` the USN being target practise?

[edit on 1/7/08 by Harlequin]

[sarcasm]Yes, I am sure the US will play no part in an attack on Iran. Our being drawn into a war with Iran will be an unfortunate side effect of Israeli aggression. An unfortunate side effect that just happens to fulfill the wants and needs of the current administration. The same administration that has been calling for this war for a long time. I am sure it will just be one Huuuuuuuuge coincidence. [/sarcasm]

If they are afraid of bees (wmd's), then why are they going to throw rocks at the bee hive?

Just take away their nectar.

reply to post by Harlequin


This is what will happen..

MANAMA: Any Iranian move to blockade the Strait of Hormuz would be considered as an "act of war", a top US military official said yesterday.

Gulf Daily News

Originally posted by Harlequin
the problem is the strait of hormuz

www.lib.utexas.edu...

at its narrowest its 21miles wide - which is within artillery range , let alone ASM`s and litoral subs with skaval rocket-torps

so whilst the US might say it will `prevent` any iranian oil bloackade - what will `prevent` the USN being target practise?

[edit on 1/7/08 by Harlequin]

couldnt the US stand off quite some distance and prevent any blockade? Surely with the range of the CAG they could be miles away and project their power without having to get within artillary range?

so an `international response` (read US) - would do what? anything that passes through under a US flag will be a target , US navy very much so (as opposed to tankers/cargo vessels)

there are iranian bases all around the strait which woill of course make things a little hot

reply to post by expatwhite


then iran wins - how would the USN prevent a blockade when ships have to pass through the strait?

if the USN`s carrier airgroup have to fly 24/7 pilots would be very fatigued very quickly - even at its height in GW1 aircrew wern`t on combat missions 24/7

the only way `to be sure` is to escort everything in an out - which is why the strait of hormuz is the most strategical choke point in the world

the only way would be be sieze the 2000 square miles of land around the area ; which would mean a ground invasion and counter missile attacks from the iranian TEL`s against US bases in iraq.

Oil is already hitting new highs because the markets are factoring in the prospect of an attack.

Let's face it, an attack on Iran will send oil through the roof and sink the US and world economies, let alone any tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

We're already losing this war, now, at the gas pump.

reply to post by gottago


Oil will go to $250, but if Oil continues to raise without a war then the US might be forced to spark a conflict (sounds crazy, but it has happened before).

Israel is on nuclear red alert as we speak.

reply to post by infinite


Those installations around the straights are mapped to within an inch of their lives for GPS strikes from high altitude B-2 attack runs.

The first inclination they will have is when 2000 lb JDAMs start popping off their equipments ability to function.

reply to post by gottago



Oil is high because of speculators, thats all. if spewcualtion stopped on oil, price would fall 20 %

reply to post by Dan Tanna


everything iran has is mobile - and look how hard it was in both GW1 and GW2 to find the iragi TEL`s

reply to post by Dan Tanna


Pentagon reckon any strike will occur in July or August. The British Conservative Party (who are on course to win the next general election in the UK) have informed Israel they would support military action, but the Israeli's are not willing to wait till 2010.

The European Union has no stomach for military action, the French may talk tough words but Britain, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands will not support military action. The economies of the EU probably could not afford a war, Britain certainly can't.

"Iranian commander survives assassination attempt" -

www.presstv.com...

Well gee hey. First I read today they tried to kill Ahmadini... Ok, 'Afterdinnerjacket' (man, I just can't spell the dudes name) with X-rays in Italy and now there's guys after a commander

The destabilization is definitely underway.

reply to post by Dan Tanna


That's the theory, of course.

It's all well and good saying that speculation is causing the hike in oil prices, but do you really think that's the only cause?

Anyway, this thread ain't about oil, it's about Iran.

I for one pray (not to offend anyone sorry) that Isreal will be the ones to pick the fight, because if it was the U.S, i imagine we'd end up with Iraq all over again.

reply to post by Anti-Tyrant


I don't see much of a difference between an Israeli attack or an American attack. They are pretty much two arms of the same monster at this point. If Israel strikes, I would be willing to bet that the US will have had more than a little influence in the decision. I think that Iran views any attack by either party as no different. They will blame both countries regardless of who drops the first bomb.