Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., October 22, 2008 Tishrei 23, 5769 | | Israel Time: 21:38 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 09:21 13/08/2008 U.S. experts: Military strike on Iran won't derail nuclear program By Aluf Benn Tags: Israel, Iran, U.S.  A report published last week by the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) states that military strikes are unlikely to destroy Iran's centrifuge program for enriching uranium. The report was co-authored by David Albright, president of ISIS and one of the most important civilian experts in the U.S. on nuclear programs, and senior analysts Paul Brannan and Jacqueline Shire. "Considering the modular, replicable nature of centrifuge plants, we conclude that an attack on Iran's nuclear program is unlikely to significantly degrade Iran's ability to reconstitute its gas centrifuge program," they write. They say there is no room for likening strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities to the Israeli bombings of the Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981 and the clandestine Syrian reactor last year: Destroying the uranium enrichment plants at Natanz and the conversion facility in Esfahan - where the raw material for the enrichment plant is produced - could not be accomplished in a single sortie and would require employing much greater force than Israel used against Iraq and Syria. Advertisement Beside the need for multiple attacks and major firepower, there is the problem of locating the targets. "Based on interviews with knowledgeable government officials, intelligence agencies simply lack reliable information on the full scope of Iran's centrifuge facilities and activities," the American experts write. The International Atomic Energy Agency does not know, for example, where Iran makes all the components for the uranium enrichment centrifuges. Unless this production is derailed, the Iranians could reconstitute their project relatively quickly if attacked. The researchers contend that a military attack would only lead Iran to rebuild its nuclear program and speed up development at clandestine plants. Moreover, if the Iranians think an attack is imminent, they can stash centrifuge components and materials in hidden locations. In any case, they point out, Iran has already stockpiled enough natural uranium gas to produce weapon-grade uranium for 30 nuclear weapons. Complicating matters still further, the gas for the centrifuges is stored in numerous small canisters designed to withstand damage, so aerial attacks would have to hit close to destroy them. In contrast to Iraq and Syria, which depended on foreign suppliers to rebuild their reactor-based programs, Iran would not need outside help to rebuild its widely-dispersed gas centrifuge uranium enrichment program. The experts cite the facilities where Iran has manufactured centrifuges for enriching uranium, and report that the Iranians secretly purchased in Britain a large amount of super-strong steel for producing one of the centrifuge's most important components. This special steel is controlled by suppliers, and the researchers believe the Iranians got around British restrictions by purchasing it in the form of rods, rather than the preferable tubes, and later reworking them for use as centrifuge bellows. Related articles: Iran VP: Iranians are friends of all people - even Israelis In depth / Contrary to popular belief, war with Iran is not imminent Does Israel need American consent to attack Iran? Bookmark to del.icio.us   Saudi peace plan Barak says it may be time to pursue an overall peace deal for the region. Wiesel on Ahmadinejad Nobel laureate says president's UN speech shows world hasn't learned from Holocaust.   1.   The American neocons are history 03:08  |  Wendy 13/08/08   2.   vow, a brilliant conclusion 03:17  |  Iranian-american 13/08/08   3.   Israel will have to learn to live with a nuclear Iran. 04:02  |  POP 13/08/08   4.   POP head 04:29  |  Jonathan 13/08/08   5.   That`s why an attack like this is not going to happen. 04:42  |  Fortuna Benmayor 13/08/08   6.   WRONG -fully operational centrifuge plant is extremely vulnerable 05:02  |  Dr. L. Brnd 13/08/08   7.   Military strike on Iran won`t derail nuclear program, 06:46  |  Scott L. Havsy 13/08/08   8.   IT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS TO TO EVERYONE BY NOW THAT ISRAEL 07:01  |  Pimp Daddy 13/08/08   9.   Personally, I would like to see the IAF in action 07:11  |  Natallie Durson 13/08/08   10.   Iran and tha N bomb 07:56  |  Naz 13/08/08   11.   Regime change in Iran would be far superior to a military strike. 08:26  |  Jean Van Daem 13/08/08   12.   Hey POP, I have no objections! 09:24  |  Tzfonit 13/08/08   13.   Time starting to be on the Palestinians` side 10:11  |  Chanalau, Tova 13/08/08   14.   Arrogant L.Brnd, who knows better than these experts # 6 10:24  |  Clickfool 13/08/08   15.   Drooler Clickfool and his 10 story-thick concrete roof for Natanz 11:12  |  Dr. L. Brnd 13/08/08   16.   Military strike 21:17  |  ElJefe 22/10/08

Read & React Top Iran officials recommend preemptive strike against Israel Responses: 167 Editorial: We must not tolerate settler terror against Palestinians Responses: 64 Report: Hezbollah chief poisoned; Iranian doctors saved his life Responses: 36 Natasha Mozgovaya: 'Joe the Plumber' worth as much as Powell endorsement Responses: 69 More Headlines 21:24 IAF officer and soldier die in training plane crash in Negev 19:51 Report: Hezbollah chief poisoned; Iranian doctors saved his life 21:36 Iranian official: Tehran proud of its support for Hezbollah and Hamas 21:20 Israeli rightist wounds soldier guarding Palestinian farmers 09:51 Al-Qaida-linked Web site backs John McCain as president 20:28 U.K. Jewish students to protest Uganda child abductions at Jerusalem rally 12:52 Syria envoy: Future generations will pay if Israel scuttles peace talks 12:05 Top Iran officials recommend preemptive strike against Israel 13:53 VIDEO / IDF offers rare glimpse into training of elite canine unit 01:55 ANALYSIS / Iran's threats are not based on any proven capability 11:12 Report: Egypt source denies Hezbollah officials invited to Cairo for talks 19:22 Owner of car involved in fatal T.A. hit-and-run to be released from police custody 09:54 Kadima fumes as Mofaz, Shas meet behind Livni's back 19:21 Number of new cases of cancer drops in Israel 14:20 Court delays trial for makers of deadly Remedia baby formula 14:04 Underground cattle trade thrives in Gaza smuggling tunnels Previous Editions Select Day 21 oct 20 oct 19 oct 17 oct 16 oct 15 oct 14 oct 13 oct 12 oct 10 oct 09 oct 08 oct

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Living in Israel Studying in English Click & Meet our students from all around the world Dial 013 for your long-distance calls and get all your money back US CITIZENS Vote for real change. Request your ballot today! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved