/Published on Sunday, March 13, 2005 by the Times/UK
<http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1522978,00.html> /
* Revealed: Israel Plans Strike on Iranian Nuclear Plant *
*by Uzi Mahnaimi*
ISRAEL has drawn up secret plans for a combined air and ground attack on
targets in Iran if diplomacy fails to halt the Iranian nuclear programme.
The inner cabinet of Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, gave
"initial authorisation" for an attack at a private meeting last month on
his ranch in the Negev desert.
Israeli forces have used a mock-up of Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment
plant in the desert to practise destroying it. Their tactics include
raids by Israel's elite Shaldag (Kingfisher) commando unit and
airstrikes by F-15 jets from 69 Squadron, using bunker-busting bombs to
penetrate underground facilities.
The plans have been discussed with American officials who are said to
have indicated provisionally that they would not stand in Israel's way
if all international efforts to halt Iranian nuclear projects failed.
Tehran claims that its programme is designed for peaceful purposes but
Israeli and American intelligence officials -- who have met to share
information in recent weeks -- are convinced that it is intended to
produce nuclear weapons.
The Israeli government responded cautiously yesterday to an announcement
by Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, that America would
support Britain, France and Germany in offering economic incentives for
Tehran to abandon its programme.
In return, the European countries promised to back Washington in
referring Iran to the United Nations security council if the latest
round of talks fails to secure agreement.
Silvan Shalom, the Israeli foreign minister, said he believed that
diplomacy was the only way to deal with the issue. But he warned: "The
idea that this tyranny of Iran will hold a nuclear bomb is a nightmare,
not only for us but for the whole world."
Dick Cheney, the American vice-president, emphasised on Friday that Iran
would face "stronger action" if it failed to respond. But yesterday Iran
rejected the initiative, which provides for entry to the World Trade
Organisation and a supply of spare parts for airliners if it co-operates.
"No pressure, bribe or threat can make Iran give up its legitimate right
to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes," said an Iranian
spokesman.
US officials warned last week that a military strike on Iranian nuclear
facilities by Israeli or American forces had not been ruled out should
the issue become deadlocked at the United Nations.
/Additional reporting: Tony Allen-Mills, Washington /
Copyright 2005 Times Newspapers Ltd.
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