Israel Vice PM: Military strike can hit all of Iran's nuclear facilities
Speaking at Herzliya Conference, Moshe Ya’alon calls the possibility of a nuclear Iran a 'nightmare to the free world,' says explosion at Iranian missile base targeted missile system that would have threatened the U.S.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Iran nuclear IDF Iran threat IranAll of Iran's nuclear faculties are vulnerable to a military strike, Vice Prime Minister and Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya’alon said on Thursday, calling the potential of a nuclear Iran a "nightmare to the free world."
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An aerial photograph showing Iran's uranium conversion facility just outside the city of Isfahan, March 30, 2005. |
| Photo by: AP |
At the closing day of the Herzliya Conference, Ya’alon referred to the many tools at the international community's disposal that could serve to slow down or stop Iran's advancement toward nuclear weapons capability: international pressure, economic sanctions, support of Iranian opposition, and military actions.
Speaking of the possibility of a military strike of Iran's nuclear facilities, the vice PM said that "the West has the ability to strike, but as long as Iran isn't convinced that there's a determination to follow through with it, they'll continue with their manipulations."
"The Iranians believe that a determination isn’t still there, both in regards to military action and in regards to sanctions," Ya'alon said, adding that "any facility protected by humans can be infiltrated by humans. It's possible to strike all Iran's facilities, and I say that out of my experience as IDF chief of staff."
The vice PM's comments seem to counter reported remarks by U.S. defense officials quoted last week by the Wall Street Journal, according to which the Pentagon was not in possession of conventional arms strong enough to destroy all of Iran's nuclear facilities.
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Moshe Ya'alon at Herzliya Conference, Feb. 2, 2012. |
| Photo by: Tal Nissim |
Ya'alon reiterated the Israeli stance that a nuclear Iran was a global threat, saying that "if Iran obtains nuclear weapons, it would be a nightmare for the free world, a nightmare for Arab states…and of course a threat to the State of Israel."
"We'll see a more intense undermining of regional regimes and the acceleration of terror attacks against those regimes, as well as against Israel and western states, with the United States at the forefront," Ya'alon said.
The former IDF chief also indicated that an explosion which virtually destroyed an Iran Revolutionary Guard missile base near Tehran late last year targeted a system "getting ready to produce a missile with a range of 10,000 kilometers, thus threatening the United States."
"The Iranian threat is not a case of Iran Vs. Israel. Israel has never declared war on Iran, but the Khomeinistic regime has declared total war on the States of Israel's very existence," Ya'alon added, saying that Iran was interested in repelling a perceived western hegemony around the world and not just in the Middle East.
Ya'alon's comments came after, earlier Thursday, Military Intelligence Chief Major General Aviv Kochavi said that Iran's ability to obtain nuclear weapons was solely dependent on the will of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, adding that Israel was threatened by about 200,000 missiles at any given time.
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Mutually Assured Destruction
ISRAEL IS A CHOSEN NATION OF GOD NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO IT .EVEN ON AMMAGGERDON DAY THE SON OF GOD WILL STAND UP ON ITS BEHALF
Israel continues its aggressive occupation of Palestinian land so that no Palestine will exist. No wonder Iran is not happy with Israel. Oh, North Korea is also a nuclear state and their weaponry could reach the US as well. Given the western hegemony, you have used the word, of the Middle East why should there not appear a Middle Eastern Country to challenge this situation. Israel could be seen with Saudi Arabia as running dogs of the West in the Middle East. The oil of the Middle East does NOT by right belong to the West.
A lot of folks jump to the conclusion that the bombing of the Iran nuclear sites have to be via aircraft. No - there are other methods as well!
Just like the lies about Iraq, it's the same thing AGAIN. Please Israel, stop this hate filled agenda and quit lying to the world. Peace
On that date, Operation Himmler, ended with the 'attack' on the Gleiwitz radio station. "I will provide a propagandistic casus belli. Its credibility doesn't matter. The victor will not be asked whether he told the truth." - A certain man who wanted a war to his generals, 22 August 1939
Iran may be much closer to developing nuclear weapons than U.S. and Israeli estimates; in fact they may even have nuclear weapons now. They have many secret installations that have not been monitored where this activity could've gone on undetected by the IAEA and U.S. and Israeli intelligence. For this reason, an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities would be a terrible mistake. I think that Iran is waiting for Israel to attack to launch a devastating counterattack and then claim to be acting in self-defense. Israel shouldn't play into their hands by launching an attack.
No one doubts Israel's capability to hit the Iran's nuclear facilities, but that isn't enough or the question. Iran's nuclear capabilities need to be dismantled And that cant be done by airstikes alone. Let's hope for more Iranian work accidents.
"We'll see a more intense undermining of regional regimes and the acceleration of terror attacks against those regimes, as well as against Iran and other states, with the United States at the forefront," Ya'alon said.
A forced, late term abortion upon the Iranian motherland with deep surgical strikes into its womb to dismember and disintegrate the evil child gestating there so it doesn't see the light of day is what will eventually bring relief to the world, Iran included.
Israel is trying to push the US and the world to bomb Iran and Israel will assist of course. This time the US and the world will not fall for the Israeli trap. Israel is only interested in consuming more arab land and nothing else. Israel is simply not a peace loving nation. They will self destruct soon. So sad.
Moshe Ya’alon, a military strike might be able to hit all of Iran's nuclear facilities, but Iran's response will for sure bury Israel 6 feet under. You want to take that chance. The few Israelis that want peace with the Palestinians and the Arab world, yourself, Netanyahu and the rest of his criminal government not included, do not want to take that rout.
Or, are you still trying to get others to solve your problems?
Of course not. For instance, one would have to use a lot of bad faith, were one to construe as a casus belli the following guilty plea by a former AOF chief , ie. to an explosion which virtually destroyed an Iran Revolutionary Guard missile base near Tehran late last year'
IN PRINCIPLE, ALSO IN THAT CASE, GRADUALLY,AT LAST IRANIAN NUCLEAR AFFAIR IS IRANIAN BUSINESS, UNLESS IT COMMITS AGRESSION, WAR AGAINST ANOTHER COUNTRY/OTHER COUNTRIES. THEN THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION/MANKIND WILL HAVE/HAS TO HAVE A/THE DUTY TO ACT, TO SERVE, TO PROTECT THE HUMAN RACE A.S.O....
An excellent example of putting first things last!!!
Iran should launch a preemptive strike on Israel, as this is a open declaration of intent to attack. Israel used the Arab rhetoric to launch it's own preemptive war in 1967, so why shouldn't the Iranians have that same right?
then GO GO GO
They are like all the big mouth Arabs that for the past 65 years stated over and over again that they will take down the Jewish State, will wipe them off, they will push them to the see, will eliminate them and more and more. They all talk and when the time comes, they will take off their shoes and will run like all of them did in they first attack the tiny Jewish state. Israel is smarter, stronger and have more courage in one Israeli than in 100,000 Arabs , Turks or Persian. They are all the same, big talk small deeds.
we expect the iaf to head for saudia arabia and cross to iran.but that is not the only choice.
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By the threat of Iran who thinks shutting the straitof hormuz no problen...........As for israel 's arsenals Are we going to inform to anyone what we have or not.. IN OUR ARSENALS?? Never let them guess ... p/s Welcome back
Iran is a member of NPT but Israel not. Israel has nuclear weapons but Iran not. To enrich Uranium it is the right of Iran. Iran says, it is peacefully, of course it is peacefully as IAE members are always there and program is under supervision by IAE. Israel has past record to attack her neighbours and she still doing it but Iran has not this record. So who is the threat for world peace?
No more war for Israel , Israel is just using us Americans for their war. Enough
What is more Israel is NOT asking the US to fight for it..Israel fights its own wars has done so since 4+ armies tried to annihilate it AND FAILED. The Vice PM is not asking the US for help I saw no such wording in the article ..JUST informing the TRUTH..if you want to twist to your version than you live in la-la-land
A nuclear Iran is not in America's interest, and the USA is pursuing a halt to Iran's nuclear program because of its own national goals. Israel has common cause, but it is not telling America what to do. Anyway, it is the Arabs that got you bombing Libya so they wouldn't have to, and would be quite pleased if you got involved in Syria as well.
Tihis is Isael,s goal. Truth is the first item to be kicked out whenever Israel goes into damage control mode.
Just in the Middle East, everybody knows what it means when Iran military gets the possibility to strike with nuclear weapons. Israel has never declared war on Iran, but the Khomeinistic regime has declared total war on the States of Israel's very existence. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, already explained that Israel was threatened by about 200,000 missiles at any given time. "fantasy", do you expect it to be a fantasy?
I know that Iranians leaders spoke of a future, were a state of Israel should be an already passed part of history. But I never heart, that they want to go to war with Israel. They just consider the existence of Israel in Palestine as illegitimate. This view is possible as well as the contrary and you should only fight with arguments over it
I'm sure the Iranians are also saying the same thing about DIMONA!!!
Since Israel is shutting down its weapons reactor, its government must believe that Iran has the capability of taking it out, and there's only one way to take it out--with nukes. So the war with Iran will be nuclear on both sides. Both countries will be ruined.
Since Israel is shutting down its weapons reactor, its government must believe that Iran has the capability of taking it out, and there's only one way to take it out--with nukes. So the war with Iran will be nuclear on both sides. Both countries will be ruined.
Dimona is not essantial. The Iranians can and will say anything. They still do not have nuclear weapons other than some from Pakistan too heavy to fly.
talk about war and threat, instead of making peace which is far better for your country and the world. PEACE.
Are you listening thoughtful Israelis ?! .
Things have been allowed to get to a stage where only the Americans can do the job. From their airbases and carrier fleets they can launch stealth jets, heavy bombers, fighters and Tomahawk missile. They would be able to destroy not only the entire nuclear program but also their retaliation by starting off by destroying missile launch sites and air defenses then they are free to drop as many bombs as they like and Iran would have limit offensive & defensive capabilities. For Israel there is very little it could do there is the distance means that Israeli planes can't go rearm and take of again and the closest thing Israel has to a heavy bomber is an F15. The nuclear sites are spread around the country so that would mean using over 100 jets, try getting 100 planes to avoid Iranian radar before they get to the target. Because they would need to fill their racks with bombs to give maximum chances of success it would mean apart from their cannons the pilots would have no way to defend themselves from Iranian ones, it would be a suicide mission and the pilots would know it. Sanctions are not going to work because Iran needs nukes to rule the region which is their long term plan right now they would have a hard time defeating Saudi Arabia who have the largest and most advanced fleet of fighter jets in the Middle East ( bigger & more advanced jets than even Israel ) Their ground forces are also built with American equipment rather than Russian or domestically made weapons so they are not going to give up their nuclear ambitions through choice and in the end military action is the only solution and only the Americans can do the job. It would also be in America's best interests because pretty soon Iranian missiles will have the range to reach mainland America so stick a nuke on the top of that and America has a real problem and it will be to late because even America's superior conventional weapons will be no use if Iran can retaliate with a nuke.
The usual paranoid statements about Iran wanting to destroy Israel even while ignoring the much worse whisperings of Israel threatening to take down the entire world with its Samson option. Seems to me the US is taking the wrong side here.
are the grea testthreat to world peace.And if Iran has missels that will reach Israel, why haven't they used them.If they are tha tgreat a threat? The Israli government is a circus of cowardly fearmungering, warmungers. But the cowards want every one else to do the war for them.
Did you ever take into consideration that just maybe the world is a little fearful of a neclear confrontation with Russia and China. Obviously you are fearful of the same thing and that is why you are begging everybody else to do your fighting for you...Stop acting like a coward, Mr. Ya'alon...
and a threat.
Just imagine if some poor pilots have to bail out over the ten thousandplus high mountains over there... (Khorramabad missiles' site etc) Will you bring them warm blankets and Khrira soup ?
just like Iraq
No wars for Israel!
even in the case of an onslaught by Israel - they are more human than many in Israels government, at least judged by their words
If the Iranian government would try to do this. it would be the end of Iran as we know it, It will be not like Lebanon.
In case you didn't notice: Jews had stopped to fear since 1948. Try to frighten someone else.
I think it's Iran trying the patients of the free world.
If you need to bomb 300 m underground, you don't have to bomb 300 m. If three bombs explode, probably with some time saving, after another, than there will be a destructive shock wave. Both the US and the Israeli military know this.
People (US, France, German including their president and PMs) are trying to see if Israel is really dare to push the button.
why?
Israel has defensive missiles to counter offensive moves by its enemies. You don't want to see them used? Then don't force them to use them and mind your own business. Want to make it your business to erase the Jewish State from the pages in history? Then be prepared to be warned by Israel. Now, go back into your deep sleep.
no more wars for israel!
to the free world.
Time for you to learn some proper English and get caught up with what's been going on in the middle east for millenia now.
the occupation of you mind is the trheat
The world is sleeping, and the terrorist regime of Iran scoffs at the UN, and thus gain valuable time to the nuclear bomb! If the Iranians do not seek nuclear weapons because nuclear plants were hidden within the basement rocks, raising millions in construction costs? Lying, hypocrisy is their specialty ...
Israel has not declared war on Iran? Then neither did Egypt declare war on Israel in 1967, yet we found their actions sufficient cause to justify a preemptive attack. What is Iran to make of Israel's almost daily threats to destroy its nuclear facilities, its incitement to the world's only superpower to invade Iran, it's calls for economic boycott and it's veiled hints that we are behind terrorist attacks inside Iran. We Jews are supposed to be smart, but in this case our stupidity is mind-boggling.
Regarding Iran, you've apparently been out of touch with middle east and world news since 1979 and even events prior, leading up to its bloody revolution. You can be a lot smarter than you appear in your post just by keeping up with the news of Khomenei's pronouncement against Israel during his war with Iraq, the unleashing of proxy shock troops against Israel on many occasions, the Buenos Aires bombings, the modern declarations of erasing the Jewish State from the pages of history, etc. Israel could care less if the Insecure Islamic Regime of Iran's leaders chose to stand and spin daily on their heads to try and garner the world's attention, just don't try and stand on Israel's head to try and prove that Imperial Islam is now the final religious solution for all mankind.
Israël's disrespect of international law and human rights have allready been a nightmare for the free world for long time.
Which hasn't prevented him from taking credit for anti- German resistance performed in defiance of his orders ,just elevating himself to the "leader of the Free World"
that a french reader has an upside-down understanding of what constitutes meance to the free world. Just because you'd invite Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to march down the Champs-Élysées while you stare off in a smoke-filled coffee shop blustering about existential nihilism doesn't mean everyone else has to follow suit.
What do this people were looking for, who attented at this conference