- Israel has drawn up secret plans for a combined air and
ground attack on targets in Iran if diplomacy fails to halt the Iranian
nuclear programme.
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- The inner cabinet of Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime
minister, gave "initial authorisation" for an attack at a private
meeting last month on his ranch in the Negev desert.
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- Israeli forces have used a mock-up of Iran's Natanz uranium
enrichment plant in the desert to practise destroying it. Their tactics
include raids by Israel's elite Shaldag (Kingfisher) commando unit and
airstrikes by F-15 jets from 69 Squadron, using bunker-busting bombs to
penetrate underground facilities.
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- The plans have been discussed with American officials
who are said to have indicated provisionally that they would not stand
in Israel's way if all international efforts to halt Iranian nuclear projects
failed.
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- Tehran claims that its programme is designed for peaceful
purposes but Israeli and American intelligence officials ó who have
met to share information in recent weeks ó are convinced that it
is intended to produce nuclear weapons.
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- The Israeli government responded cautiously yesterday
to an announcement by Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, that
America would support Britain, France and Germany in offering economic
incentives for Tehran to abandon its programme.
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- In return, the European countries 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, said he
believed that diplomacy was the only way to deal with the issue. But he
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."
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- Dick Cheney, the American vice-president, emphasised
on Friday that Iran would face "stronger action" if it failed
to respond. But yesterday Iran rejected the initiative, which provides
for entry to the World Trade Organisation and a supply of spare parts for
airliners if it co-operates.
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- "No pressure, bribe or threat can make Iran give
up its legitimate right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes,"
said an Iranian spokesman.
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- US 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 deadlocked at the United Nations.
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- - Additional reporting: Tony Allen-Mills, Washington
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- Copyright 2005 Times Newspapers Ltd.
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- http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1522978,00.html
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