Israel prepares to strike Iran- Report

The British newspaper The Sunday Times reported today that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered the Israeli Occupation Forces, the IOF, to prepare for attack targeting Iran's nuclear sites by the end of March 2006.

IOF received government order to get ready for a possible military attack on the Islamic Republic, the paper said, adding that the move came after intelligence official warned that Iran has already started enriching uranium at civilian locations.

Attacking Iraq by the end of March next year will coincide with the general elections scheduled to be held on March 28.

In 1981, the Israeli Air Forces attacked a nuclear reactor in Iraq shortly before elections were held.

Sunday Times cited Israeli military sources confirming that a plan to attack Iranian sites has already entered the highest state of readiness.

The British newspaper said it was told by the defense officials that if Israel’s plan to attack Iran was approved, it will use air and ground forces to strike several nuclear targets to destroy Iran's nuclear program.

The paper further suggested that F-15 fighter jets, capable of reaching Iran and return to Israel without being refueled, will take part in a future strike.

It quoted one Israeli source as saying that "If we opt for the military strike. It must be not less than 100 percent successful. It will resemble the destruction of the Egyptian air force in three hours in June 1967.”

“If and when we launch an attack on several Iranian targets, the last thing we need is Iranian early warning received by satellite," the newspaper quoted another source as saying.

Middle East | Politics | |