Experts: Iran may be 'inviting' Israel attack to unite support

Experts are suggesting that Iran may be "inviting" Israel to attack one of its nuclear sites, following the recent unusual and puzzling transfer of a significant portion of Iran's enriched uranium aboveground at its Natanz facility.

According to a New York Times report on Friday which was based on the latest report on Iran by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran moved more than two tons of uranium in a low, 3.5 percent state of enrichment, from an underground storage site to an exposed aboveground location.

The step is surprising in light of the fact that just about six months ago, when the existence of the secret underground Iranian enrichment facility near Qom was exposed, Iran explained it away as necessary to protect the Iranian nuclear project from Israeli and American attack.

According to one of the theories, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, which are responsible for the Iranian nuclear program, are "inviting" Israel to attack the exposed storage site to strengthen the regime's hold on the country.

Proponents of this theory suggest that the Iranian people, currently in the throes of a popular protest, would unite behind their leadership in the event of a war against Iran. However, American intelligence sources cast doubt on such a theory and suggest the move is probably the result of logistical problems in storing the enriched uranium in underground facilities.

The transfer of the uranium follows an Iranian decision to step up enrichment to a 20 percent level in violation of the country's international obligations and in defiance of international threats of new sanctions.

Iran has claimed that its program is designed to develop nuclear fuel for a small research reactor in Tehran, where it uses isotopes for medical use. To fuel the Tehran reactor, however, Iran needs much less than two tons of uranium.

The Times news report said the storage difficulties may come in addition to recent success by Israeli and American intelligence agencies in spying on the Iranian nuclear project.