Fortune tellers or planners?
Saturday, November 10, 2007
US Fears Israeli Strike Against Iran Over Latest Nuclear Claim
A claim by President Ahmadinejad that Iran has 3,000 working uranium-enriching centrifuges sent a tremor across the world yesterday amid fears that Israel would respond by bombing the country’s nuclear facilities.This was one of the scenarios we have been hearing about. Israel attacks, Iran responds, and we walk in to protect Israel.
Military sources in Washington said that the existence of such a large number could be a “tipping point”, triggering an Israeli air strike. The Pentagon is reluctant to take military action against Iran, but officials say that Israel is a “different matter”. Amid the international uproar, British MPs who were to have toured the nuclear facility were backing out of their Iran trip.
Even before President Ahmadinejad’s announcement, a US defence official told The Times yesterday: “Israel could do something when they get to around 3,000 working centrifuges. The Pentagon is minded to wait a little longer.” US experts say 3,000 machines running for long periods could make enough enriched uranium for an atomic bomb within a year.
So are just so good at predicting the future? Sure didn't work in Iraq. Or are we just letting the cat out of the bag - a bag of plans we have handed to Israel?
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