'US concerned Israel will act alone in Iran'
American military official claims Washington won't necessarily get a heads up before Israel strikes nuclear facilities; says 'first class' Iranian defense system poses serious threat to IAF aircraft
Washington concerned of unilateral action? An American army official on Friday told CNN network that the United States is concerned over the possibility that Israel will attack Iran's nuclear facilities without notifying it first.
In the past, Washington could be certain that Jerusalem would give it a head notice before launching a strike, but the American official claimed that it is not an "ironclad" guarantee anymore.
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Asked whether the Pentagon is worried about a possible strike, the American official said "absolutely," but stressed that the United States has not intention to attack Iran at the moment.
According to the report, Washington believes an Israeli military operation would include fighter jets and ballistic missiles, but the army official warned that Iran's defense systems are "first-class" and pose a serious threat to Israeli Air Force aircraft.
IAF aircarft training in Italy (Photo: IDF spokesperson's office)
The report further stated that the IAF pilots would have to fly through a third country before reaching Iran, and will most likely need to refuel in the air – at the risk of being detected by regional radars. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), the official added, is not possible as it cannot fly the long distance or carry the weapons required to destroy the nuclear facilities.
Pressure on the Islamic Republic is expected to grow with the publication of The United Nations' atomic agency report next week.
The IAEA plans to reveal intelligence suggesting Iran made computer models of a nuclear warhead and other previously undisclosed details on alleged secret work by Tehran on nuclear arms, diplomats told The Associated Press on Friday.
Other new confidential information the International Atomic Energy Agency plans to share with its 35 board members will include satellite imagery of what the IAEA believes is a large steel container used for nuclear arms-related high explosives tests, the diplomats said.
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