I-46 Israeli: Now talking of a pre-emptive military strike on Iran

'06 Nov 10 Israeli: Strike on Iran a possibility JERUSALEM - The deputy defense minister suggested Friday that Israel might be forced to launch a military strike against Iran's disputed nuclear program — the clearest statement yet of such a possibility from a high-ranking official.

"I am not advocating an Israeli pre-emptive military action against Iran and I am aware of its possible repercussions," Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh, a former general, said in comments published Friday in The Jerusalem Post. "I consider it a last resort. But even the last resort is sometimes the only resort."

Olmert, who was arriving in Washington on Sunday, said he was confident in the U.S. handling of the international standoff over Iran's nuclear program. The Bush administration and other nations say is a cover for developing atomic weapons, but Tehran says the program is peaceful.

"I have enormous respect for President Bush. He is absolutely committed," Olmert said in an interview on NBC's "Today" show. "I know that America will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons because this is a danger to the whole Western world."

The United States and its European allies have proposed a raft of sanctions to try to curb the country's nuclear development. Olmert to focus on Iran in visit to U.S.

************************** says a me comment *********************

International polictcs now come into play now that Bush has lost party control of the US government and Irag is on the chopping block as far as the US withdrawing troops.... That now means that Israel will have to create the necessary conflict with Iran in order for the US to once again get involved in saving the Jews and the world from terrorism... and to extend it's empire and control of Irans oil...

Saysame JR

UPDATES: '06 Nov 12 Israeli PM brings Iran agenda to U.S.
JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert began a five-day trip to the United States on Sunday, armed with an agenda focusing on the Iranian nuclear threat and Israel's relations with the Palestinians..... On the flight over, Olmert repeated his view that Iran will not scale back its nuclear ambitions unless it fears the consequences of its intransigence, a spokeswoman said.

"They (the Iranians) have to be afraid of the consequences if there isn't a compromise," spokeswoman Miri Eisin cited Olmert as telling journalists on the flight to Washington.....

While the U.S. has led international efforts to curb the Iranian unclear program, Israelis are concerned that American policy might soften following the Democratic victory in elections last week...... The fear is that with American public opinion turning against the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Bush would be less likely to take decisive military or diplomatic action against Iran.

UPDATES:
'06 Nov 12 Ahmadinejad blasts U.N. Security Council
'06 Nov 12 Iran plans to counter any Israeli attack
'06 Nov 14 Iran says nuke program is near complete