Israel: the Military Issues Related to Striking at Iran Nuclear Targets

In recent months Israel has become increasingly worried about Iran's nuclear program and the possibility that it might be geared towards warfare. The recent publication of a US intelligence report about Iran stopping its nuclear weapons research and development program in 2003 is a warning that the US might not be fully committed towards a military option, despite the report itself having been considered unreliable by both Israeli and British intelligence agencies. This encourages the idea that Israel could launch a strike at Iranian nuclear sites on its own, like it did in 1981 against the Osirak reactor in Iraq.Distance, lack of surprise, multiple targets involved, and the inability to avoid an Iranian missile counterstrike make such a plan very risky. Therefore Israel might decide to avoid this line of action unless in a desperate situation, and meanwhile use any diplomatic means to obtain the needed US military aid.

4773 Words

Lorenzo Nannetti

(18 March 2008)