Iran Nuclear Watch: The Two Red Lines; Update: Israel is Bluffing?
Posted by Flap in Iran, Iran Nuclear Watch, IsraelIran’s overt nuclear installations
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.
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. According to the latest U.S. and Israeli intelligence assessments, that is likely to happen sometime in 2009, and could happen by the end of this year.
“The red line is not when they get to that point, but before they get to that point,” the official said. “We are in the window of vulnerability.”
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.
Some Pentagon officials also worry that Israel may be determined to attack before a new U.S. president, who may be less supportive, is sworn in next January.
Well, no shit Sherlock.
President Bush, the United Nations and the European Union haven’t done anything to stop the Iranian Mullahs from acquiring nuclear weapons. The justifications for obtaining them are already floating around the blogs – “well. Israel has nukes, why shouldn’t Iran?”
So, Israel has a REAL concern that the mad men of Tehran could soon achieve a method for a second HOLOCAUST.
The United States and the rest of the world economies will be crippled while Israel and the United States neuter Iran. Americans will have to sacrifice. There will be a shortage of gasoline and oil based products.
But, not for long.
Update:
Is Israel’s threat to Iran a bluff?
Israel seems content to keep Iran and the rest of the world guessing uneasily about whether and when it might attack the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities.
It has done little to douse speculation stoked by a big Israeli air force exercise last month, an Israeli cabinet minister’s remark that military action was “inevitable” and a prediction by former U.S. official John Bolton that this might occur in the final weeks of President George W. Bush’s term.
Israel is NOT going to wait around until Iran possesses Breakout Capability for their nuclear weapons program.
Whenever the Breakout Capability is imminent or the two red lines are crossed Israel will act – alone if need be.
By this fall?
Possible…..
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: One Year to Stop Iranian NUKE
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will Play Disrupt Gulf Oil Route Card
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad – The West Could NOT Break Us
Iran Nuclear Watch: The Red Line
Iran Nuclear Watch: Britain to Increase Iran Sanctions
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Taunts Bush
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