Panetta Believes ’’Israel’’ To Attack Iran Soon
"However, such options might be in vein because Prime Minister Netanyahu has already made a decision to attack in the next six months," Ignatius claims.
US War Secretary Leon Panetta believes that "Israel" is likely to strike Iran in the coming months.
"Washington Post" columnist David Ignatius wrote Thursday that Panetta believes there is strong likelihood that "Israel" will strike Iran in April, May or June - before Iran enters what "Israelis" described as a "zone of immunity" to commence building a nuclear bomb.
Even so, Ignatius claimed that senior officials in the US administration have yet to decide how to respond if an "Israeli" military strike materializes.
Asked by journalists whether he disputes the report, Panetta said, "No, I'm just not commenting."
He added, "What I think and what I view, I consider that to be an area that belongs to me and nobody else."
He noted that ""Israel" has stated publicly that it is considering military action against Iran, adding that US has indicated our concerns."
Panetta, along with US President Barack Obama warned "Israeli" officials against opting for a military offensive in Iran.
The columnist states that ""Israeli" leaders are said to accept, and even welcome, the prospect of going it alone and demonstrating their resolve at a time when their security is undermined by the 'Arab Spring'."
Another strike in a few years
The "Israeli" scenario, according to Ignatius, is a five day limited offensive, followed by a UN-brokered ceasefire. The relatively light damage that is expected to be inflicted on Iranian nuclear facilities will require "Israel" to stage another offensive a few years down the line.
Ignatius notes that "American officials see two possible options to dissuade "Israel" from attacking: Serious talks with Iran - including full access and supervision over its nuclear program - or increased US covert operations to the extent that "Israel" is convinced an attack is no longer necessary."
Source: Washington Post, Edited by moqawama.org
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