U.S. officials: Israel refused to commit to withhold surprise attack on Iran
In a recent conversation with U.S. Secretary of Defense Panetta, Netanyahu and Barak reportedly gave only vague responses on Israel's intentions regarding Iran's nuclear facilities and possibility of independent action.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu Ehud Barak Iran Iran nuclearIn his recent visit to Israel, American Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta did not get a clear commitment from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak that Israel would not take action against Iranian nuclear facilities without coordinating any such operation with the United States.
According to American officials who were briefed about the visit Panetta made a month ago to Israel, the two Israeli leaders only answered Panetta's questions regarding Israel's intentions toward Iran in a general manner.
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Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak |
| Photo by: Emil Salman |
Panetta arrived in Israel on October 3 and, in addition to Netanyahu and Barak, also met with Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and senior members of the IDF General Staff. The U.S. defense secretary's visit came against the backdrop of a sense among members of the American administration that they didn't clearly understand where Israel was headed with regard to the entire subject of the threat from Iran.
Officials in the U.S. administration noted that, in the months prior to Panetta's visit, there had been a substantial reduction in Israeli pronouncements on the Iranian issue, both in public but also privately through diplomatic and defense channels. This caused the Americans to come to the conclusion that they needed to get a clearer picture from Israel regarding where things stood, the American sources said.
Panetta raised the Iranian issue in his talks in Israel with both Netanyahu and Barak. He sought not only to hear about Israel's intentions but also to underline that the U.S. was interested in full coordination with Israel on the issue of the Iranian nuclear threat. The American defense secretary hinted that the Americans did not want to be surprised by Israel. For their parts, however, Netanyahu and Barak avoided providing a clear response, answering vaguely and in general terms.
During his visit here, Panetta held a joint news conference with Barak at which the American hinted that his country opposes an Israeli assault on Iran. Panetta said countries must work together to assure that Iran did not pose a threat to the region, adding that a solution to the Iranian nuclear issue requires the coordination of the international community.
The defense secretary's visit and what he heard here led, in the opinion of commentators, to two main schools of thought in Washington on the possibility of an Israeli attack on Iran. One view was that the evasiveness displayed by Netanyahu and Barak to Panetta's questions stemmed from the fact that planning is indeed taking place for Israeli military action against Iran, without coordinating the operation with the Americans.
According to the second school of thought, however, the message the United States is receiving from the defense echelon is what reflects reality, while the lack of clarity conveyed by the political leaders was designed to apply pressure on the U.S. administration so it in turn steps up pressure on Iran.
It is possible that what Panetta heard on his visit here, and particularly what he did not hear, lies behind what senior American military officers told CNN over the weekend. According to the television network, U.S. concern over an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities is growing and the Americans have therefore stepped up efforts to follow military activity emanating from both Israel and Iran.
In the past, the American military officials said, they sensed that they had an Israeli assurance that the United States would get advance warning of any attack on Iran. Now, however, the feeling is that those assurances are not firm.
In an interview that Ehud Barak conducted with CNN over the weekend, he said Iran was determined to obtain nuclear weapons, adding that the international community must also act in a determined fashion, through sanctions, diplomacy or any other means, to prevent Iran from getting atomic weaponry.
When asked by his CNN interviewer if he had discussed an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Israeli defense minister said there have been discussions for years within Israel on the Iranian issue. Israel prefers that the issue be resolved through diplomacy, but sees the Iranians moving forward, he stated, adding that Israel is telling its friends around the world to take any steps it wishes on the issue but also urges that no option be excluded.
When pressed by his CNN interviewer, Barak said he does not think Israel is at the stage at which military action is being discussed, and even if it is under consideration, it would not be carried out at this moment. But the Iranians, he warned, are working on nuclear weapons and missiles that within a decade could not only reach all of the Middle East but also Europe.
קראו כתבה זו בעברית: ישראל סירבה להתחייב כי לא תתקוף את איראן בלי לתאם עם ארה"ב
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bring it baby!
Obviously the guy who's already got'em...HonestAbe
The crux of this whole issue is the complete failure of Obama and his regime to represent the United States in the most important strategic military concern of the age. His lefty make nice, UN friendly, just talk to the Mullahs approach has deterred nothing. Israel needs to remain vague until Obama and his regime are out out in 12 months.
I'm very curious...what countries has Iran invaded. I have been on here several years and I've heard of none. Yes, Iran throws in some 'help' to those she trusts...but so does every other country..no one seems to be able to keep their nose out of any other countries business. The US and Israel...now there is a very DIFFERENT story...always invading and dis-rupting countries who have different 'ideas' than they do. Truly, Iran is not different than the rest of the other countries...BUT IRAN HAS INVADED NO ONE.
Israel is the only democratic nation in a sea of monarchies and dictatorships. The leaders of the middle east are threatened now more than ever which is why they are trying to scream battle cries to anyone that will listen. An Arab populous that is focussed on Israel will ignore their corrupt leaders.
" ...are working on nuclear weapons and missiles that within a decade could not only reach all of the Middle East but also Europe. " WMD reaching Europe, tension buildup sounds familiar no ?
obviously they condone israel.
Do you know what an international law is?
Israel survives because it strikes suddenly and swiftly when the time is right. And Israel has learned it cannot expect military assistance when threatened, no matter the promises of others.
Did anyone forget that Israel is the only country in the world that used phosphorus bombs on civilians?
that this noise is a sound of panic in the Netanyahu government as the world has decided that Iran can have production of enriched uranium up to 20% As long as they don't go to 90% ie 'break out' Which essentially means that iran is a de facto nuclear power rendering Israel's current defence profile as defunct.
about her future plans concerning Iran. And why should she ? Are America & Europe feeling jittery ?
Just try to remember Olmert words. Why should Israel get a free ride on nukes? Olmert said you have the weapons. Why not officially join the club and fess up to what every nation on Earth knows?
and take away its military aid....Dutch (Military aid is for defense not aggression.....That's the big failure today with US/ Israeli policy....It is shamefully illegally and immoral and people aren't accepting it anymore.....)
Everything Israel does is news ! Isn't that madness ! Or is it because the creation of Israel is a miracle ! Something without equal in the human history, Try to give credit to those who deserve it, if you are of a generous spirit !
Israel would be suicidal revealing its plans to US State Department
If so,then,how can the spoiled dad give toys to a spoiled child called israel?
U.S couldn't win Afganistan war.Israel couldn't finish Hezbollah/Hamas.Do you guys think Iran would stand and watch us attack them and do nothing?I don't think it would be wise to nuke millions of innocent Iranian civilians/children that has nothing to do with the Iranian government .
should keep her powder dry ! Not so quick. Not now ! Even if Iran has the bomb. It's only one against.....That's a secret. What do you think will happen to Iran ? Won't it be a pity to see such a big country going to the dogs !?
It's not gonna be a surprise now is it?
Israel survives because it reacts swiftly and suddenly. And there would be no Is rael today, if it waited for approvals of other nations.
Also other nations are the ONLY reason Israel is here today.
If i was Iran...with all these threats an war mongering talk - i would launch a pre emptive strive - its an acccepted an valid reason -
to provoke Iran to start a war. If Iran has the nukes such threats will never happen. Even US can´t dare to attack N.Corea becaue of its nukes.
they fail to understand that israel has very advanced electronic warfare and jamming capabilities. those capabilities were used during the attack on the syrian nuclear reactor and have probably been upgraded. israel has long range ballistic missiles. israel has advanced uav's. the iaf is qualitatively more advanced than almost any other airforce. israel would not need to use its entire airforce to carry out this mission if she so decides.
AMERICA'S. Do not let my friends in the US Army be dragged into another war just to sate Israel's warmongering.
Iran - a nuclear power - is a threat to US interests in the middle east and it has nothing to do with Israel. Got it? It is about your price at the pump - got it?
why would you warn your best friend that you're about to start what has the potential to become worldwar III right? I can't decide whether it's arrogance, tactic or overconfidence that the US will support Israel no matter what.
Why did the US even bother giving this amount of weaponry to Israel if they can't be trusted to comply with international law? Pre-emptive 'defensive' attacks need solid evidence and using a mistranslated quote as evidence is shaky to say the least!
Finally! The sooner the US dumps warmongering Israel the better.
A show for the naive.
They allowed Israel to go it alone. Therefore, they dont deserve advanced warning, unless they offer full support for a preemptive strike.
The U.S. administration has more leaks than a 1963 Chevrolet.
What is going on here? Is the government is playing open poker? Or is it the media which have infiltrated inner circles of the government, and broadcasting live to print what should be kept as security discussions kept under wraps. If the aim here is to have the Iranians get very nervous, and to consider a first strike against Israel, the government, Haaretz and some other Israeli media outlets are doing their very best to achieve this.
The Zionist Christians want WW III because it fulfills their prophecy. The 'religious' Muslims want WW III so they can remove Israel. Israel's existence makes a lie out of Mohammad's claim that Muslims are the new, better Jews.
I give my green light of an attack. Enough time has past to give Iran a diplomatic solution..time has come for a military strike.
Lets say it like that. Anyway its written in the book, afterall. Not so bright years for zionism ahead.
israel has won all of its big wars alone so far, but I am sure this time the West will be eager to help. Even the Arab countries in the region would be happy to see Iran weakened, you can judge this by the silence they obey on this topic. No Israel bashing, no comments, nothing!
Don't talk rubbish !
If the bills are paid by others, how are you alone?
We can always expect spin, disinformation, propaganda and self serving condemnations from the dynamic duo of Israel and America. The truth is not in them.
A bloated ego.
An Iranian nuclear device will be used sooner rather than later. Iran has experimented with launching short-range (300 miles) ballistic missiles from containers on ships. That means the US east and west coasts are at risk once Iran deploys a weapon. Israel is not alone in being at risk. There are thousands of ships at sea.
The few ships they have and the missiles would be destroyed the moment they would show up. Step down of your megalomanic visions!
The IAF is full of novices that have never flown a long mission and have never faced anti-aircraft fire. To think that these overrated rookies can fly several hours over hostile airspace and find and destroy targets while dodging anti-aircraft fire and then than make it home successfully is a fantasy. Want a real life example of Israel's expectations vs the harsh reality? Look at the 2006 war.
Yes is true, Israel underestimate a war against Iran and Obama or Bush was talking over 2006 war in Lebanon; Israel acting very SLOPPY !
MUHAHAH! Great example of another divine victory.
they are being trained at emlory riddle in florida
are increasingly being perceived as one and the same entity. There is something strange about the relationship because of the dependency both have on each other and there will come a stage where they will not be able to have separate identities. I suppose this is ultimately what many in both countries want- a merging of identities to combat perceived, external threats ? Does anyone have a another explanation ?
strength and military superiority that it does not even consider sitting on a table with its enemies trying to find a peaceful solution
Yes, and America which certainly loves war and destruction, invasion and ripping apart other peoples lives, would go to war with Israel for no other reason than the US LOVES war and killing to their hearts content. Nothing seems to make the US heart beat faster than dropping boms on the innocent.
If/when Israel is out to attack Iran, its aiplanes will have to fly over, or by, aifields and sensitive terminal airzones of Iran, Suadia, Bahrein,war boats and AWAKS aloft. If the US is not briefed in details about F&F, its going to be messy up there even before Iran has anything to complain about: the schpiel is BVR, shoot "beyond visual range". So not only will they know, but the Saudi too. Even their bases, ok, deserts are going to be put to use...
The missions flown by the IAF are short and undefended. I can count the exceptions on one hand and have fingers left over. At the beginning of the 2006 war, Israel and all the world expected that the IDF would crush Hizbollah for good. Instead, Hizbollah sent the invading IDF scuttling for the border leaving a trail of burning tanks. Expectations and reality. Don't get them confused.
the iaf is easily among the five top airorces in the world. the iaf is perfectly capable of carrying out a mission to destroy iran's nuclear weapons capacities. the iaf has already destroyed the nuclear reactor in iraq and the one in syria. those missions were accomplished flawlessly.
So you think Iran will be like with Iraq or Syria?
Israel is right to stay vague with this US government when it comes to Iran. Keep your options open....
He started with Joe Biden, announcing plans to destroy all US peace efforts on the first day of Biden's first official visit to Israel as VP. So the US 5th Fleet and probably the Iranians will both run readiness drills at random times for weeks, maybe months. Should give Bibi his chuckles. Or the US fleet will just go to war footing and be ready at all times. Shouldn't cost more than a few $$Billion extra a day.
obama's appeasement policies have only emboldened iran to the extent of planning to assassinate a foreign ambassador on american soil. under these circumstances, israel needs to protect her own interests.
The US and Iraqi operated systems are likely already on all over the Gulf, as well as in any country in range of either Israel or Iran. Wouldn't want any mistakes.
Good luck with that, but if the 2006 war is any indication, don't let your grand expectations exceed a very humbling reality.
What progress has Israel made in its negotiations recently?
Israel is hardly one to criticize another nation for assassinating someone on foreign soil, since it maintains hit squads and assassinates people on foreign soil as a matter of state policy.
It did nothing to stop Israel either.
So far, an Iranian national has been accused of conspiring with a Mexican drug cartel to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States. Kohn seems incapable of understanding that an accusation does not constitute proof of guilt.
or am i mistaken to think that you are an american?
given iran's record of assassinations and mass murders on foreign lands, its kidnappings and various act of terror against individuals it considers undesirable, it seems quite probable that the obama administration is correct. the chap will get a trial.
It was Greek-Roman land before the Arabs stole it in the 7th century!
We told them to get a permission slip/hall pass note from Bibi.
Trial maybe in a year or two after prelims and discovery.
As if Israel doesn't come up with enough bad examples original to them, they must copy outlaw nations and terrorists as well.
Since the US has half a million people in the cross hairs.
Why? Because Israel relies on us for its existence and we need such information to plan our strategy.
Yes sure. the eight years war between iraq and iran and the thousands of deads and the atrocities of both sides are enough as argument?
Your PM would be told. Common Courtesy to an ally, even if Israel has no official ally status.
If the covert option failed, the US would be informed before 2012, after 2012 if the covert option failed or the military option was chosen, then they may or may not. If sanctions are imposed or aid cut to Israel, it must happen after the operation not before to prevent it. The US knows of the Israel plans to a degree and that Israel has been planning for the last 6 years. What do people think the merchants ships was about. The main threat to the US being drawn into a war via an Israeli strike was being in Iraq, that would place the US in the situation in which they would have to bomb Iran, as was the case in 2007 and Panetta threaten Iran recently. Iran would be operating covertly as they did prior in Iraq. Israel should not draw the US into a war, Iran will have to act overtly attacking US bases, it is less likely, than covert action in Iraq. If they act overtly then they know the US would have to attack and they will be bombed into the stone age, it is suicide. Iran has never confronted the US directly it is always covert via proxies. Israel knows that the US controls countries via the military, that is why the command was replaced and prior too access at times was denied to the US. It has to occur before Putin walks into the Kremlin and while Syria is in chaos.
War Mongers and the Bullies of the world have spoken!!!
I'm not going to let you destroy my country and my people. You want to play that deadly game, well that means that I have to play. Sounds quite appropriate to me, not war mongering.
dont like when we defend ourselves by going on the offensive do you. too bad
That's the only reason why Israeli officials don't discuss details with US officials. I wouldn't do so neither. In a matter of weeks it appears somewhere at wikileaks or on a British tabloid. Unfortunately, the USA can't be trusted to be hermetic.
Israel, worry about yourself. Don't worry about the world. The world can take care of itself better than you can take care of yourself. Stop making yourself the guardian of world peace. the world doesn't need your puny efforts to save it. Attack Iran and exist no more, never more.
And if the world could take care of itself Iran would not be allowed to continue its nuclear work.
After reading all futuristic discourses, the only city mentioned in future is Jerusalem. So where is your annihilation of Israel coming from...?. Which books do you read...? Where does/did the inspiration of those books come from..? . Israel will live forever and ever.
and we are indeed taking care of yourself. Please, stop worrying about us too and stop showing concern if we will win or lose.
Iraq 2003. One Mr Rumsfield,the US Secretary for War, pushed on for an early engagement in that grand foley. even though the military advised that they we not fully prepared. Whilst they easily defeated the Iraqi: the technological miss match was great, there was no contingency for the peace. The rest is now history. History is littered with monumental military disasters, even including the might of the super power.
Yes, Obama. -Put some light between yourself and Israel before this happens. The light is a lie just like the rest of you and your old line about hope and change. Do you think that we haven't seen the line of dominos you have toppled from Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Syria -all leading up to Iran?
Why in the Hell would the Israelies tell Obama and company anything about their plans concerning Iran? So Obama can tip them off? Obama has been nothing but unsupportive of Israel since he took office. He has been openly hostil to Israel. They are on their own and they now know it. If they strike at Iran, inorder to defend themselves, the U.S. will no longer be the first to know. Hopefully, the Iranians will be the first to know, when the strike occurs. Obama has done everything that he can to destroy our relationship with Israel. It is shameful.
There's no reason for anyone to be supportive of Israel. AIPAC and Congress can commit treason as much as they like, but unlike them, I'm actually loyal to the United States of America. It's beyond disgraceful how AMERICAN politicians have to suck up to Israel in order to have any chance of getting elected, or else the Fifth Column known as AIPAC will go out of their way to destroy a candidate. It's also disgraceful how people seem to think that Israel should even be helped by anyone. The racist State has been breaking numerous international laws for decades, stealing and murdering with impunity, as the so-called "American" Ambassadors to the UN always turned into Israelis whenever the subject of Israel came up in the Security Council. We are Americans-not Israelis. If you are loyal to Israel, you can get out of my country! I did not sign up to protect traitors!
This statement is either delusional or deliberately falsifying. I suspect the latter.
How true John. If Saddam had nukes the US would not have dared to attack Iraq.
Forget that it was Iraq that invaded Kuwait.
It is so damn obvious that the US knows about the planned attack and is of course coordinating it with Israel, as they have known of every single planned Gaza attack, assassination, provocation and settlement building. The US is the main provocateur and fuel to the fire in this on going game of occupation, domination and soon to be world war. Never has Israel been more than a little watch dog, happy going along with whatever dubious and evil plan the US has cooked up in order to dominate the global economy. The only problem here, the one the Israeli leaders do not seem to grasp, is that we will pay the price for US greed and ignorance, as Israeli mothers and fathers have been doing for years with the lives of their children, under the guise of Zionism, or should we say Capitalism/Greed. The utter stupidity in Israeli society is overwhelming regarding this issue, as if everyone wishes for war and still believes that the dollar is god.......
As an American, I sure wouldn't like it if the US needed to get approval from anyone else to protect itself. Therefore, Israel has all the right in the world to protect herself as she sees fit, without having to ask anyone's permission.
In any case, the American tax payers are well invested in Israel. They are held responsible for Israel's actions. Israel has been propped up by America for decades
The politicians talk alliance. But there is none on paper.
It's only a sneak attack if you keep your head in the sand and try to pretend there isn't a problem. Self-preservation is the strongest human motivator; may HaShem guide the missles to their targets.
You should be worried and want forewarning about what is being done with your tax money.
Ha,ha,ha. You really are funny, "sneak attack" ? Israel is telling the world & Iran its going to attack. this is one of the most publicised attack ever announced. Gee you really gotta get a brain.
Israel is by far the most untrustworthy, intransigent, and belligerent nation on this planet. There is no reason for anyone under the Sun to trust you, at all. Just ask the Syrians, Egyptians, Lebanese, Iranians, and most importantly, the Palestinians as to whether or not you should be trusted, and chances are likely the majority of them would say no, and with VERY good reason.
This is the same guy who after pushing Israel against the wall and demanding that Netanyahu forbid Israel's Jewish citizens from building in their own capital, East Jerusalem, then phoned him and offered to cut a deal. Unbelievably, Obama stated he would "get tough with Iran" if Netanyahu agreed to this racist demand. Imagine--the only thing that would get him off his as% to get tough was to bend Netanyahu's arm and further the Arab dream of carving up Jerusalem. This guy needs to go. How fast? Yesterday. That's how fast.
are the once that attacked Israel in the first place. Maybe the should try to earn Israel's trust.
This Israeli leadership is DRUNK with power and Superiority....
It is inevitable that there will be war because radical/fundamentalist Islam is pushing for this for decades. Read the Koran. The Islamic world is obsessed with wiping out Israel. So before you blame your government, perhaps you should dwell on just how high the STAKES are and JUST HOW MUCH you are willing to bet that Iran will not drop The Big One on Israel. My take? He WILL. In fact, there have been a slew of articles over the year in which Iran's elite speculated on how Iran could afford to lose a third or more of their population. And that they would be willing to "martyr" millions as long as Islam worldwide was advanced. It would be a "big honor" for Muslims to die in such a cause. Don't you get it? You are dealing with a NUTTY TRIBE who have been waiting for many, many years for this opportunity. Israel will be forced to launch a preemptive strike. Waiting too long will be even more destructive for Israel. Sometimes in life, there is simply NO "GOOD" choice. But this is a choice for sheer SURVIVAL.
Soooo you feel threatened because of the Koran?!? And everyone feels threatened because your book claiming to be Israels ancient land deeds to the ME. Both books are irrelevant in this instance so please focus on modern events or go back to your cave.