Israel preparing to attack Iranian nuclear sites

Israel is preparing options that include air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities even without US consent or cooperation, officials in the Israeli Defence Ministry declared.

In an interview with the Jerusalem Post, a senior Israeli Defence Ministry official said that while it would be difficult to attack Iran without US support, it would not be impossible. In another statement, an Israeli MP said that although at present time attacking Iran without other countries' cooperation is not a good option, such option existed nevertheless.

In Israel, the debate as to whether strike Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons has escalated since Barack Obama's election as the new US President, as there is widespread concern in the country that Obama's soft approach to Tehran could mean the US would do nothing to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power.

Such concerns were outlined by Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, in his latest meeting with US President, George W Bush last November. The Israelis are concerned that the chance to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities with US support are coming to an end as the Bush administration prepares to be replaced by Obama's.

In the Negev desert, Israeli pilots have been training for a secret mission and the US has installed the world's most advanced X-band radar system which would give Israel considerable air superiority over Iran in the event of an Iranian counter strike.

In 1981, Israel successfully carried out a surprise air strike on Saddam Hussein's Iraq's Osirak nuclear facility.