NewsMax.com
Sunday, March 13, 2005

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  U.S. officials warned last week that a military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities by Israeli or American forces had not been ruled out should the issue become stalled at the United Nations.

Reportedly, the Israeli plans have been mulled over with U.S. officials, who are said to have indicated that they would not stand in Israel's way if all international efforts to halt Iranian nuclear projects failed.

Vice-president Dick Cheney noted on Friday that Iran would face "stronger action" if it failed to respond.

Yesterday, Iran rejected an initiative, which provides for entry to the World Trade Organization and a supply of spare parts for airliners if it co-operates.

Meanwhile, fearing the worst-case-senario, Israeli forces have used a mock-up of Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment plant in the desert to practice leveling it, says the Times report,

Reportedly, tactics on the drawing boards include raids by Israel's elite "Kingfisher" commando unit and air strikes by F-15 jets from 69 Squadron, using bunker-busting bombs to blast into underground facilities.

Tehran has persistently claimed that its program is designed for peaceful purposes. However, both Israeli and U.S. intelligence officials are convinced after consulting that it is intended to produce nuclear weapons.

On the diplomatic front, Israel has responded guardedly to an announcement by secretary of state Condoleezza Rice that the U.S. would support Britain, France and Germany in offering economic incentives for Tehran to abandon its program.

However, Iran does not seem ready to bite.

"No pressure, bribe or threat can make Iran give up its legitimate right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes," said an Iranian spokesman recently.

European countries have promised to back Washington in referring Iran to the United Nations Security Council if the latest round of talks fails to secure agreement.

Silvan Shalom, the Israeli foreign minister, while saying he believed that diplomacy was the only way to deal with the issue, warned: "The idea that this tyranny of Iran will hold a nuclear bomb is a nightmare, not only for us but for the whole world."

Editor's note: