Israel says it won't warn U.S. before a strike against Iran

[longnecker]

WASHINGTON (AP) – Israeli officials say they won't warn the U.S. if they decide to launch a pre-emptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, according to one U.S. intelligence official familiar with the discussions. The pronouncement, delivered in a series of private, top-level conversations, sets a tense tone ahead of meetings in the coming days at the White House and Capitol Hill. Israeli officials said that if they eventually decide a strike is necessary, they would keep the Americans in the dark to decrease the likelihood that the U.S. would be held responsible for failing to stop Israel's potential attack. The U.S. has been working with the Israelis for months to persuade them that an attack would be only a temporary setback to Iran's nuclear program.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak delivered the message to a series of top-level U.S. visitors to the country, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House national security adviser and the director of national intelligence, and top U.S. lawmakers, all trying to close the trust gap between Israel and the U.S. over how to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Netanyahu delivered the same message to all the Americans who have traveled to Israel for talks, the U.S. official said.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive strategic negotiations.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment, and the Pentagon and Office of Director of National Intelligence declined to comment, as did the Israeli Embassy.
Iran claims its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but the International Atomic Energy Agency has raised alarms that its uranium enrichment program might be a precursor to building nuclear weapons. The U.S. has said it does not know whether Tehran has decided to weaponize its nuclear material and put it on a missile or other delivery device.
The secret warning is likely to worry U.S. officials and begin the high level meetings with Israel and the U.S. far apart on how to handle Iran.
But the apparent decision to keep the U.S. in the dark also stems from Israel's frustration with the White House. After a visit by National Security Adviser Tom Donilon in particular, they became convinced the Americans would neither take military action, nor go along with unilateral action by Israel against Iran. The Israelis concluded they would have to conduct a strike unilaterally — a point they are likely to hammer home in a series of meetings over the next two weeks in Washington, the official said.
Barak will meet with top administration and congressional officials during his visit. Netanyahu arrives in Washington for meetings with President Obama next week. Read full article
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/s...ack/53277286/1

[Tralee]

I hate to say it but someone's going to have to do something about this. That country is too unstable and to fanatical to have a bomb, responsible use is NOT a given with them, and Israel has a lot to lose if they get one. It's probably only a Band-Aid, we'll be blamed no matter what, that's their agenda, but at least it will give us a bit of cover. The thought of a nuclear Iran gives me the willies. Anyone who thinks Iran is playing straight with the world needs a sever reality check. Right, a country with tons of oil needs nuclear reactors for energy. Uh huh, and that's why they won't let the inspectors in to prove it? I don't think so.

[max1]

I support any option that Israel decides to use it's their back yard after all. But again, and I said this about Iraq. With all the operatives we have and the technologies we deploy why cant we just kill this guy? I'm gonna be hard pressed to support American boys and girls on the ground in Iran, specially when I don't think everything of a covert nature has been tried.

[Tralee]

Personally, I'd take everyone out of Pakistan and Afganistan and let those two countries finish each other off, starting with our "Good Friend" Mr. Karzi, then we could use the troops elsewhere for some good.

[Mark]

i was reading somewhere that folks in Israel wanted the government to wait until after Madonna had her concert there this summer before starting any Iran campaign.

[Grin]

bah Iran, bass ackwards country. I read that Israel has already neutralized that threat. The last I heard, they took out a scientist some weeks ago. Something about 2 guys on a motorcycle blowing up his car. It shouldn't take a ground war.

[max1]

bah Iran, bass ackwards country. I read that Israel has already neutralized that threat. The last I heard, they took out a scientist some weeks ago. Something about 2 guys on a motorcycle blowing up his car. It shouldn't take a ground war.

I agree, covert operations should be the first option. I'm sure we are running many covert operations in Iran already.

[Tralee]

I agree, covert operations should be the first option. I'm sure we are running many covert operations in Iran already.

Actually, I think they have already been there and done that, a few times, how many imported scientists or experts can they kill if certain countries just keep sending in more? I'll bet they have some sort of bunker busting bomb that can get the job done to the one that's buried deep under a mountain. I hope so at least, Israel is so at odds with this administration, for cause in my opinion, that it's almost too late to expect anything more. The real certainty is that something has to be done, soon. Once they have enough highly enriched uranium no one can take the chance of setting it off.