Former IDF chief: Israel must prepare for possible attack on Iran
Gabi Ashkenazi says Israel needs to do all it can to operate under the radar against Tehran, but stresses that military option must be on the table.
By Barak Ravid and DPA Tags: IDF Iran Iran nuclearFormer IDF chief Gabi Ashkenazi said Thursday that Israel must operate under the radar against Iran, but it should also prepare for a possible strike against the Islamic Republic's nuclear facilities.
During a lecture at the Institute for National Security Studies, Ashkenazi stressed that Israel's strategy on Iran must be a combination of several approaches.
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Iranian naval vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, Jan. 3, 2012. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
"Israel must do all it can under the radar and combine that with paralyzing sanctions, but at the same time keep a reliable military option on the table with the willingness to use it if necessary," Ashkenazi said.
"When the moment comes I don't know if we won't be alone, and for this reason Israel must also rely on itself," he said.
During his term as IDF chief, Ashkenazi was considered a supporter of a more moderate approach on Iran, in which all diplomatic options must be exhausted before any attack is launched.
Earlier Thursday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the new round of economic sanctions by the European Union will be "futile," and added that his country was ready to resume nuclear talks with the six world powers - the U.S., China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany.
Ahmadinejad appeared to downplay the impact of a new round of EU sanctions on Iran, including a ban on oil imports, saying that trade with EU states made up only $23 billion of Iran's $200 billion annual trade volume.
"Aren't you ashamed to get together and make such statements. Where do you think you can get with these steps?" Ahmadinejad said.
"They are saying they (EU) do not want to harm the Iranian people, but the steps they take and the language they use are all against the people," he added.
The EU sanctions, as well as similar measures taken by the United States to force Iran to curb its nuclear activities, are believed to have already had an impact on the Iranian economy, with the national currency, the rial, falling drastically in recent days.
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Well bombing a nuclear reactor what a bright idea. I wonder where the fallout will land ? A lot the DU that was used in Lebanon fell on Israel. Check your diabetes figures. Imagine what might happen if a rocket gets past the Iron dome and hits Dimona.
From all appearances, Iran is a rational state, acting responsibly. As Mossad chief Pardo said, Iranian nukes do not pose an existential threat to Israel, and therefore to the West in general. Therefore, the US believes it should not go to war to stop Iran's nuclearization. Since it is desirable to not increase the number of states having nukes, the US will continue to help by "threats" and sanctions. But Israel should know that there will be no actual US action. And if Israel acts alone against Iran, the US will not intervene on her behalf. It will be a private Israeli affair. If Israel chooses to reveal this to the world, too bad, because then Iran will probably nuclearize quickly. Israel is now developing a "second strike" capability (via submarines), and this is sufficient to protect her against any feared surprise nuclear attack.
Same rhetoric nothing new.
The IDF fought Hizbollah in the 2006 war. Today Hizbollah is stronger than ever before. The IDF supposedly fought Hamas during the Gaza op. Today Hamas is stronger than ever before. Are Israelis sure that they want to send the IDF against Iran? Israel's enemies seem to prosper under IDF attack.
But then, what CNN says in USA is not consistent with what it says in South America.
Israel has not to fear.Once again,Crusaders will defend and protect the Holy City.I pray for piece.
The Iranian regime has been terrorizing it's own people and people worldwide for way too long. This must come to an end. The latest quest for a nuclear jihad is the final straw.
because this might be the possible outcome of peace in the middle east
This is the best case scenario and very likely.
against anyone with any ability to fight back. They just want USA to confront and attack Iran. Simple as that. Hezbollah killed 150 Israeli solider in Lebanon last time year and they are not even a recognized army. Without USA blind support, Israel is nothing, was never anything and will never be.
Israels obtuse rhettoric knows no bounds!
Ahmadinejad sure does find the Americans to be a source of intense amusement. Israel too for that matter. This innately belligerent state seems to forget there are over 1000 missiles trained on it. One sign of an impending attack on Iran and they are all fired. Israel instantly becomes a waste dump.
The Sunni world will stay calm for once and be sort of gratefull not to have to do the dirty work themselves!
The midget of Tehran wants to downplay sanctions. Really... as we speak, the Iranian parliament is debating a bill ending oil shipments to the EU. If this bill passes... oil exports would stop before European sanctions take hold. The Europeans import something like 600,000 barrels per day. Sanctions are also meant to freeze Iranian banking assets. So apparently, Tehran has prepared financing of crude to import nations like China, India or Turkey using local currency. Bypassing the US dollar. Nobody is fooled... the Islamic Republic wants a confrontation. They never intended to block the Straits... but attempt an oil embargo. Looks like the Ayatollahs have finally lost their marbles. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait alone have enough oil to fuel any Peugeot, Mercedes or BMW for a next few hundred years.
stop Israel now!
As far as the war with Iran is concerned, Israel should start it if they so desire, but before they do, Israeli people should know that they will mostly stand alone. No more 'Coalitions of the Willing', no more sitting in your cozy home in Tel Aviv, Ashdod, Haifa and watching it all unfold on your brand new plasma tv. It will be IDF boots on the ground and the soldiers of various European and US armed forces sitting at home and watching it all on CNN. Graphs, maps, experts and all. Know what your leaders are dragging you into before commiting your lives to this foolhardy adventure of your extreme right.
if only this were true! But more than likely, the AIPAC-owned US Congress will jump in with both feet, declaring war - not on Israel but on the victim of its agression, Iran.
he will take the premiership with one hand tied behind his back. And it seems like he knows it.
is going to bring on WWIII, and I hope Israel pays for it, bigtime.
Yes, the Insecure Islamic Regime of Iran, those riding their poor captive people like beasts of burden to satisfy the egos of catapulting Iran into nuclear-reinforced regional hegemony and beyond at whatever costs to Iranian citizens.
Sorry, I can only stand to read one of these per day.
Heard that USS Enterprise is out in Persion Gulf it is due to be decomissioned next year and it has been suggested a false fag operation to give US a reason to strike sound familiar. a USS ship was struck during Iran Iraq war, Iran was held responsible later discovered it was targeted by Iraq.
iran is not under israeli authority. iran committed no crime. why all this mad posture for war? israel is a lawless state today.
Pals are not radiation immune and Iranian missiles would wipe them out too....
This regime rules by fear and if the people want out, then the revolution must start from the outside once the fireworks start the uprising will continue.
How can anyone expect any good from EU , they themselves on the verge of constant bankruptcy . I really don't think its fair to hurt normal Iranians like this . sanctions are great way of crippling a country from inside .
personally, I think the spark is going to come from either hamas and or hezbollah which Israel will respond to and which WILL bring iran to react...at which point, israel can have at the mullahs and their nascent nuke program...which will then involve their lashing out at the US....obama in 2012 is going to be on the mat with this...he can't avoid it like he wants to.....if you watch charlie rose, the anti semite zbigniew brzezhinski was on last night and he was clearly stating that he favours a policy of containment....which for sure he is advising obama to follow...obama will talk a good game as long as he can up till 2012,after which, if he wins, he will not support any strike on iran nor will he support israel as his "unshakeable ally"...oh he'll still talk his usual crap, but he will change the relationship. make no mistake israel; if you are to attack iran, it has to be 2012...and if you do, there's a good chance it will ruin obama's reelection chances at the economy will be affected. If obama were smart, he's be proactive and attack irans nuke facilities...it would win him HUGE support from americans who LOATHE iran and the mullahs....oil shortfall will be temporary as saudi and iraq and kuwait will make it up...
Americans - you do not give them enough credit for being decent human beings with minds of their own. The average American does not LOATHE Iran and does not support Israel to their last dying breath. They realize that the people who will be hurt by Israeli aggression will be the ordinary people of both Iran and USA. And for what? So Israel can continue their dominance in the Middle East? Why?
Other sources say that the Saudi production is already at maximum levels. There is more oil there but they cannot get it out of the ground fast enough to make a difference for Europe and China.
Are Irans assistants . Why should we buy their goods so that they can arm Iran?
Sanctions will bring the people of iran closer together and look up to their leaders and not challenge them. The west can't have it's cake and eat it.