ANALYSIS / Why is Israel suddenly praising Iran sanctions?

Isreal has nuke with wareheads, western countries know but keep silence. if ISREAL insist for this issue, most likely, Iran will send or sell most sufficiated missles (short or long) plus other war weapones to lobenane, everybody can guess what happen.settlements plus automaic plant and hifa and other cities will be vanished from the map, as Iranian president mentioned it before.

Israel has never threatened the total destruction of any nation. Israel has never denied the historical tragedies of any other nation, and in fact last year admitted that it had some responsibility to the Palestinian refugees of 1948's war of independence. Iran's ruling regime has been supporting violence against Israel for the past decades through both Hezbollah and Hamas (using them as proxies and nonchalant about Palestinian civilians in the way), defying international calls for cooperation regarding its nuclear program, and there's much more. Majority of Israelis and Palestinians as well as Arab states seek a peaceful co-existence, but these were never the words out of Iran's government.

Hard to understand Iran's message. Are they quite sure that their missiles will penetrate T Aviv.? Maybe yes, maybe not. Or maybe Israel has decided already to pay the price of half T Aviv and burn Teheran or Qum. Are the Ayatholas ready to pay the price? Are you so sure? Are they nuts or just make themselves.? Iran is playing with fire, and they will be obliterated. They are a weak society a weak economy, a weak army and have no friends in the world. No question that the US will stand with Israel and so the rest of the world including the arabs of the Golf.

Every week a direct flighth from teheran arrives in Caracas uinternational airport is a phamton flight, no people comes in it ano people goes back justa few.. why are there iranian factories on far away provinces in venezuela. venezela has lots of uranium. UMMM can they be putting together nuclear equipment here... wonder if anyone has been putting attention....

...for Iran. Looks like it's time to pack your bows and arrows, and head on over to Iran to fight the good fight. They're going to need all the help they can get. Better convert to Islam first, though, so you can be eligible for your 72 virgins. Oh, and better pack a portable air-conditioner. You're going to need it where you're going.

however much faster, racing towards its own economic breakdown point. The US would squeeze Iran by massive re-arming the entire ME while encircling Iran. Expect Iran begging the UN for grain and gasoline on humanitarian grounds. In the meantime, the brightest Iranians would be escaping to the West.

# 29 Labhras, It's been a long time since we've heard/read such a lot of rubbish !

What you say is true. It is a shame but it is true. Western democracies used to have the same attitude towards Hitler. Nobody wanted to move a finger for Checoslovaquia. The problem is that Israel is not Checoslovaquia, and it does not stand for sale. Israel might 'help' Obama to become a world hero and the West to survive this shameful period. Only nuts could believe that occupation of part of the West bank, until palestinians recognize the jewish state and quell its demands for the right of return, is a "world problem".

Sarah, maybe you do not follow the current affairs as keenly as you like to spew hate for poor palestinians. I would help if you keep yourself little current. Well, let me fill you in for you. Currently US needs china more than China needs US. It's ever growing and powerfully with the fastest growing economy in the world. Do you have any clue how much Chinese money is put in US economy? Well go get educated! take a break from your palestinians and muslim bashing and read some current affairs and economics 101.

I agree, the muslim states specifically the middle Eastern muslim states should help fight Iran. Well, here is the deal. We give Egypt and saudi Arabia a sound Nuclear programme with enrichment capabilities and capabilities to build a bomb within 3 months if theatened by israel. Then maybe middle eastern countries can help fighting Iran. How about it? Agreed? Arab's don't like Iran but then but it's a necessary evil that they have to bear keeping Israel in mind. Try to think rationally from others perspective too.

... but then realize that you are from Israel! I can understand your feelings but please read some history about Iran.

The long range missile tests had one message: If you bomb us, you will be obliterated. Iran can afford to lose some stuff, if it gets a free pass to retaliated. Either way it achieves its goal of eradicating Israel. AND ISRAEL IS WALKING RIGHT INTO THE TRAP.

Let us hope that you are right but I have serious doubts. The day Obama, Sarkozy and Brown spoke was not the day the world came together on Iran. Have you not noticed the conspicuous absence of the Russian and Chinese heads of State for the joint statement ? Russia may yet come along as they have just received the big concession from the US on the missile deployment in Central Europe so they may do quip pro quo and reciprocate on Iran. China on the other hand has absolutely no interest in any meaningful sanctions that would threaten its long term oil contracts with Iran. China follows its own selfish foreign policy hardly understood by the West and particularly the US. Having N. Korea and Iran preoccupy the US and the EU is China?s strategic interests that include being the world?s dominant economic power and re-claiming Taiwan. To that end, one Chinese postulate offers that a good hunter, upon seeing a tiger and python attack each other, will not interfere but instead perch himself on a top of a hill from where he will observe the fight and wait till the end until one animal kills the other, then come downhill and kill the winner. Very revealing don?t you think ?

' ...even if the sanctions are approved, will they serve to dissuade a country that has persistently struggled to obtain nuclear weapons for 15 years, now that it is relatively close to achieving the ultimate goal?' The answer is, 'you're asking the wrong question', Mr Harel. It's not the country of Iran which needs dissuading - it's the government of Iran which does. That government has, for thirty years, maintained an unthinking, unyielding hatred for the West, and for America, Britain, and Israel in particular. But the recent election has shown us a likely majority of the Iranian people want moderation in both their domestic and foreign affairs. That majority, had it been allowed to freely elect a progressive, concilliatory government, would not see its country in the cross-hairs of the international community today. The West must be very clear in drawing this distinction, for the Iranian people have given blood enough demonstrating their own true wishes and hopes.

First two sentences: "Israel is sending out messages of measured and cautions optimism." What? Second sentence: "Israeli official are praising the..." Terrible standards Ha'Aretz. You've really reached as high as your namesake.

H. makes Cenrsoreship against my crticism. Haaretz dafames islam critican as beeing rassist and antisemites, so H. is ideological crazy and so must "plurally" do the best propaganda of trans-national & panreligeous antisemite-antizionist movement. See: tellTheChildreTheTruth.com or photospalestine.free.fr and The Big Lie and the Media War against ISRAEL. REMEMBER : Since 1 9 2 5 German Communist PARTY (KPD) an others deal against Zionism definated as "fascism", - a deadly "fatwa" and the model for the later SS- and KGB supported antizionist Jihad. Covering this truth is the big part of our common unluckyness ! But in Europe and special Germany, withnessed by HAARETZ, people and special jewish people get high prices who manintain the BIg LIE against jewish political shelter movement,- zionism!

Why is it that so many people conveniently forget Israel atomic bombs? Let's put all the cards on the table and force Israel to officially disclose whether or not it has atomic bombs. What's wrong with that? Israel and all of those people and governments that do not force the issue of Israel's atomic bombs are phony and dishonest. Iran has as much right to have atomic weapons as Israel does.

Israel has been violation the UN and international laws since its creation in 1948. Its amazing how the world media refuses to talk about this! The truth will eventually come out!

It is a pretext to move the attention from the real danger,intern opposition! Iran knows that the world leading powers will never attack them,but they are worried about being attacked from within,so they shift the agenda to the nuclear issue,and Obama,Sarkosy and Bibi fall for it.Now the dragging will start then the"breaks"more threat,new agreement more lies and deception,disagreements between the US Israel and IAEA about the new report,and in the meantime the opposition in Iran is silenced while they"solve"the problem.The Ayatollahs must be laughing their turbans out.

Let us hope that you are right but I have serious doubts. The day Obama, Sarkozy and Brown spoke was not the day the world came together on Iran. Have you not noticed the conspicuous absence of the Russian and Chinese heads of State for the joint statement ? Russia may come along as they have just received the big concession on the missile deployment in Central Europe from the US so they may do quip pro quo and reciprocate on Iran. China, on the other hand has absolutely no interest in any meaningful sanctions that would threaten its long term oil contracts with Iran. China follows its own selfish foreign policy hardly understood by the West and particularly the US. Having N. Korea and Iran preoccupy the US and the EU is China?s strategic interests that include being the world?s dominant economic power and re-claiming Taiwan. To that end, one Chinese postulate offers that a good hunter, upon seeing a tiger and python attack each other, will not interfere but instead perch himself on a top of a hill from where he will observe the fight and wait till the end until one animal kills the other, then come downhill and kill the winner. Very revealing don?t you think ?

Dear Mr.Harel the reply is simple and: In the words of Mark Anthony:We have come to "Bury Iran not to Praise it". This is the irony in reply to the whole article which is well known to every country worldwide. The regime of Iran has forfeited its right to exist. It should be destroyed, along with the nuclear facilities. We (the West) should learn the lessons of Iraq & Afghanistan: military action should exclude sentimental liberal cant about bringing freedom & democracy to Iran, or nation-building, or winning Iranian hearts & minds, etc. Those are internal matters that don?t impinge on Western interests. We should destroy the regime & its nuclear plants simply to eliminate the prospect of a Middle Eastern nuclear war (the logical end to Iran?s constant threats to destroy Israel, and part of Shi?ite theology), and the possibility that Iran will provide portable nuclear devices to terrorists, devices that will detonate in Western cities. Case closed

Israeli does not have the capability, or more importantly the International support for a military strike on Iran's civilian nuclear power infrastructure. The only thing that Israel can now do is to try and ensure that the financial cost of Iran (sat on a lake of oil) will be to high to achieve parity with Israel. Plus the fact that lots of people are now saying "Hang on a minute we are going on about Iran's nuclear ambitions, but doesn't Israel already have the bomb" And is that the double standards that is feeding muslim fundamentalism. But I think the major change has occured in Washington, which has told Israel tehre will be no bang bang in Tehran in the forseeable future. Deals with Russia might have something to do with it.

Israel hopes for any act by the world to help against Iranian aggression. Sanctions are not enough but maybe will get the ball rolling into rolling thunder.

It was the Shah who was overturned in the Iranian Revolution of 1979 who had dreams of the "Great Persian Empire" being rebuilt who started the nuclear program. He bought so much military equipment and trucks, etc. to rebuild the Great Persia that many of them I believe are still rusting in the desert, unused. Also, Pakistan, under Bhutto, wanted the muslim nations to have nuclear arms to show they are equal to the Russia and the West. Anyone believing in the warnings of doom from Nostradamus or the bible, or anyone having common sense wouldn't want nuclear proliferation. However, Iran, like Korea, may be using nuclear arms are a means of terrorism to get their way. What is it Korea wants?; they met the Great White Chief Clinton; can't he get them into the world of trade with China? What does Iran want? So far, I think its partner Syria wants Lebanon and peace (a piece of this and a piece of that as the joke goes). Iran may have ambitions of being the regional power,Turkey is that

" ... a country that has persistently struggled to obtain nuclear weapons for 15 years, now that it is relatively close to achieving the ultimate goal?" This is not an analysis, this is a bizarre claim. The real problem are people, who worship their fears, who confuse opinions and speculation with truth and who do not make an effort, to consider the other possibilities. It's like a trial, where you have no advocate and no judge, only a powerful prosecutor, who wants to win his case and who is trying to impress a rather naive audience. Iran is playing by the rules of the judge here, they revealed the construction of the second enrichment plant to the IAEA well in advance of any enrichment activity - and all of this is in perfect harmony with the treaty obligations. So where is the problem? Iran is not under any obligation, to inform Western politicians or the media or the IAEA about every construction site and the IAEA has probably no interest, to visit empty buildings

probably a smoke-curtain. Seems obvious to me that an Israeli attack is in the making, maybe sooner than expected

China won't be happy to be left alone, without the partnership of Russia, with the bad guys, with the axis of evil. China has its' own bad guys in the neighborhood, North Korea and won't be interested to be left alone without the cooperation of all the world powers. Besides, China has many economic interests which could be harmed if it estranges itself from the civilised world. These interests are much more important than the good relations with a backward country called Iran.

before and after he let them in.The investigation could have gone on forever. He in fact was hiding his lack of WMD's from his Iranian brothers so they would not know how weak he was. Sadaam was reported as saying prior to his execution that Arabs need beware of the Persians. Food for thought?

will never agree. Without China "tough sanctions" are only in the minds of those with over-sized egos (Obama, Sarkozy). Brown has nothing to loose as he is on the way out to retirement.

It is a riddle for me that some people still talks of sanctions,they still believe in that"weapon".It is a"paper gun".Ineffective on regimes,and dreadful on the population. We have tried that so many times before with the same results.Kim Ill,Saddam,Assad,what do they care,they will have the same cars,the same palaces,the same cloths,the same food,and the same trips.The people will have less,much less than the little they are used to have.I wonder why sanctions are so overrated,why they still believe in the "toothless tiger".

After letting them in.It just kept leading nowhere. Every body except you seems to have noticed. Turns out Sadaam did not want his Iranian brothers to know how weak he was. Saddam is reported to have said,prior to being executed,beware of the Persians. Intersting isnt it?

It is strange reading posts from the traditional anti-Israel camp.For once they are divided between those that defends the right of Iran for nuclear weapons,and the one that still deneys Iran's intentions.At least the first one are more honest.People like Marc leb will deney the earth is round,and later will admitt it,and blame Israel for it.

If one suggests Sanctions against Israel we are told it will only harden the Israeli physche but under sanctions those "Weak" Iranians will break. It is this very insulting and self serving arrogance that gets Israel in the soup it is in. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Besides, Israel has weapons of mass destruction---Iran does not. Iran is a member of the NPT---Israel is not. Israel is the state attacking it,s neighbours for the last 50 years---Iran has not. Go figure.

Iran needs to protect itself from the most destructive nation on earth and in history (the USA). Iran -whether we like it or not- has the right and an obligation to protect its own people against the USA which has an army at the door steps of Iran. A weak Iran will attract the international mafia and US warlords to invade and destroy the oil rich country. Of course, it will all be done for the sake of peace, democracy, and world order. But nevertheless, Iran will be destroyed. This is the sad reality, be strong or receive US bombs!!

why should Israel risk everything while the allies stand aside? Israel already has taken out two nuclear facilities in Iraq and Syria. Time for the allies, other Muslim states to join in and make sure Iran can't breathe for the next five years. Sanctions? Iran could care less. Strike them before they strike Israel, Europe, ( if she has any stones left) will be the second one hit ( if Iran is allowed to go unchallenged) then, their next goal, rule the world.

I have to say that if I were in the Iranians shoes I would develop Nukes as well. Look at it from this way. Iraq had no nuclear weapons, it kept saying that, it allowed inspectors in, but US, Britain, and Isreal kept saying it has it. Now the same tactic is been done to Iran, first they will be sanctioned for sometime (to weaken them as Iraq) and then they will be invaded, regardless of whether they have nukes or not, so if they have any brains at all they should develop nuclear weapons because it makes no difference, they will be hit.

Sanctions haven't worked so far cause Russia and China did not go on board, that could change now.Russia has already changed it's language commenting the Iranian missile tests this week. "The weaponization question is now `the question`.But this is a relatively simple part of the process.There is now a dispute over whether or not Iran has a facility working on the process." not at all, the weaponization is one of the hardest tasks on the way to nukes.The enrichment is relatively easy, once you figured it out.the hard bit is to place the device on a missile.BTW, the IAEA is absolutely certain about the fact that Iran has not diverted any Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) in order to enrich it more and as long you only have LEU you can pretty much forget about putting it on a missile.the critical mass of LEU (about 1100kg) is just to much payload for an average sized missile, especially the cued Shahabs-3.The truth is, there is no military option, not 4 Israel, not 4 the US.live with it!

Whilst new nuclear reactors are many times more expensive to build than fossil energy generators. Iran has not even got enough refinning capacity for its own gasoline consumption. Iran is subject to catastrophic earth quakes. Which of the above is a good reason for going nuclear?

Iran wants to wipe out Israel.So would colonies halt stop Iran?Maybe halting,dismantling and evacuating "settlements" like Tel Aviv,Haifa may stop Iran...Maybe not. or maybe an internal revolution...Until then:get a life!

"I consider it all hopeless at this point. [...] We have the capability to take the world down with us. And I can assure you that that will happen, before Israel goes under." - Martin van Creveld

if sanctions don't work and they continue to refuse to FULLY open the door to inspections. The only question is... Will their crazy mullahs read the tea leaves in time? Israel can continue to thrive despite a hostile Iran, but a nuclear Iran in its current form would undeniably pose an existential threat to the very survival of Israel as the home of the Jewish people. For the national security of Israel,the bulk of the middle east, and the western world + Russia, the only thing worse than an Israeli attack on Iran would be for Iran to actually have nuclear weapons. Although an Israeli attack would have horrible consequences - think World War III in the region and devastating economic impact for the whole world - unfortunately for all of us, as of right now the odds are probably greater than 50/50 that it will happen. And should Israel attack Iran, the US will be directly involved almost immediately. So, let's ALL hope sanctions work because Iran's time is almost up.

Iran is neither weak nor strong, now the question is does the west want to negotiate with a strong Iran!!! don't think so, my suggestion is take it for what its worth and start serious negotiations now and build some momentum, this way when and if Iran one day becomes strong then it will be on the right side of the fence, or at least on the road to it. those that are calling for a strike on Iran don't understand the concept that such attack not only will open a wide unpredictable conflict but it may cause the one most dangerous effect within the region and that an Arab street revolt, the whole allied map will be reshaped and then Israel's chances of continuity are simply put, threatened with doom.

I sure ain't no fan of Iran, but Iran hasn't initiated or invaded a sovereign nation for hundreds of years. Israel on the other hand.....well I'm sure you know the answer to that if you rid yourself of the mental blockade

Obama's shown himself weak and ineffective in stopping the Israeli land grab. Don't get excited Bibi, because he's about to show himself weak and ineffective in stopping Iranian nukes. And you know why? US and other western voters don't care about whether Iran's nuclear plans progress.I haven't heard one person over here mention Iran as of one of their major concerns. People were furious about Cast Lead, but nobody cares about Iran. Nobody wants to lose jobs beause of Iran sanctions and nobody wants a war with Iran. Pretty much everybody wants Israel to stop its endless pathetic delays and end the occupation.

to give more legitimacy to its hoped-for attack which will not, in the long term, end its nuclear program. Iran is not Iraq. Iran will never actually explode a bomb because it is following Israel's approach to the nuclear issue which is to imply that they have or will have nuclear weapons without actually having anyone else being certain of it. That way, there is never an umambiguous excuse by states like Israel to attack, and simultaneous, there is some sort of fear of what would happen if Iran were actually attacked, how Iran would respond, without actually knowing at all.

a military strike would not eliminate the threat. iran has dispersed and persevered for years, and even the destruction of a few factories would only be a bump in the road. israel, would risk losing planes, having pilots captured and put on display, and evoke the disapproval of large numbers of governments, further isolating the already troubled israeli political position. that leaves others to impose sanctions. doubtful.

Iran has a history of imperial conquest as the Persian empires.But today, It's own society is drawn powerfully to modern secular life and not the repressive form of Islam of the ayatollahs who want to strengthen their own power by refocusing the internal disputes outward. Muscle flexing evokes national pride and distracts the peoples real needs for freedom. Blame the Jews always works for tyrannies.

Israelis have consistently equated sanctions with diplomacy. Israelis leaders insisted that diplomacy wouldn't work. However, they have never opposed sanctions per se. Sanctions are NOT diplomacy!

The pressure is now stronger because the regime is now weaker. The franchise in Lebanon will now be instructed to divert attention and create some chaos with some assistance from the Syrians. How big will it get?

Israel doesn't know what Israel will do. Bibi doesn't know what Bibi will do. In December what will have changed? From November or from January 2010 or when the Qom plant opens? The hurdle is not the uranium enrichment but the weaponization and warhead miniaturization. It's a puzzler if your military action can only partially interdict the uranium enrichment end of the process and you don't know how far along they are on the warhead development.

Iran will play for time as it has done all along. The reluctant- to-act Western powers will play the game. However the pressure on Washington is coming from many sources. The Europeans, the French British German are also extremely worried about a nuclear Iran capable of reaching their territory. The Gulf Arabs are deeply fearful. Sanctions have not worked to this point. They probably will not work even if made much harsher. Intelligence sources now say Iran has enough enriched material for two weapons. The weaponization question is now 'the question'. But this is a relatively simple part of the process. There is now a dispute over whether or not Iran has a facility working on the process. The truth is the U.S. is reluctant to take the military action required to stop Iran. It may change its mind, and it may not. So far we have not seen much competence from the Obama Administration in its foreign policy.

"will (sanctions) serve to dissuade a country that has persistently struggled to obtain nuclear weapons for 15 years, now that it is relatively close to achieving the ultimate goal?" Of course not, and the current tensions inside Iran, between government and people, are only exacerbating the logic by the fanatics that a nuclear bomb is their best card to become untouchable. And that logic isn't that abusrd, from their point of view. Obama isn't getting tough on Iran, it is getting tougher regarding sanctions, which is absurd. Israel has made up its mind already, and that's why it is lobbying for crippling sanctions: it's good for the aftermath of any dealing with the Iranian nuclear weapons plan.

...time's up.

The world and Israel were negligent regarding Iran. Now nothing can be done. A nuke Iran is already a reality. The challenge is how do deal with it.

Israel has the capability to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities as well as the majority of Iran's missiles while they are on the ground. Such a massive operation over such a long distance would be very dangerous for the Israeli's. Unlike the Osiraq operation, there would be little surprise and there are many, many targets. This would only buy Israel 3 to 5 years before Iran would have rebuilt it's nuclear ability. In the mean time, Iran would move it's military into Syria and Lebanon to engage Israel in a war of attrition. Instead, there are sufficient UN resolutions in place to allow the detainment and searching of Iranian ships by the Western Allies. Iran is not in breach of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)by building the facility at Quom as Iran gave double the required notice to the IAEA. Like Japan &, Germany, Iran can remain a virtual nuclear power with the ability to produce a weapon in the 3 month notice period to withdraw from the NPT.

Just 2 months ago Obama was all about settlement freeze. When that went nowhere, he put it on backburner - and asked Abbas to do the same. Now Iran will do the same to Obama that Netanhu did, Obama will leave Iran alone too. By December, all that will "change" is Netanhayu will become a settler controlled lame duck.

Neither Nato nor Israel can get away of it. They will have to tare down Iran. Sanctions wont help, and a victory of Iran against the West, will represent major setback not only for Israel. The West will be kidnapped by the Ayatolahs. Obama knows that. Great Britain and France as well. No way out. Or Iran sourronders and that is not likely or the West sourranders and that is not good, or they will decide to attack Iran. The mos likely outcome is that Iran will be disarray. It is not such a strong country despite Ahemdinajad bravado.

Iran equivocally needs Nuclear energy, She is wasting precious oil to power such a huge country. For those that want to deny her even this it is obvious - to keep Middle-Eastern countries away from being 1st World Countries, Shame on you. Israel is just a client state military offshoot of the US with a few fantanic religious people thrown in, Obama seems to have given up on trying to get the Israelis stop it's illegal settlements, why is the "international" community trying to stop Iran doing something that's well within it's legal right to do?

it's too little too late, and all a charade. iran has built and hidden numerous plants all part of a diversified nuclear weapons program. if they were interested in peacedful nuclear energy they could have bought the mateials off the shelf at bargain prices. now any attack will fail in large measure and destabalize the region more than can be imagined. israel would invite massive retaliation and be forever isolated diplomatically should it launch any raid, which is doomed to fail, and bring down a rain of rockets on tel aviv that would make iraq's efforts seem childish. time for plan C.

Because nobody is going to attack Iran so sanctions are the best you can hope for.