The paper reports that the security mini-cabinet recently convened at Prime Minister Sharon's Shikmim Farm near Sderot, giving the plan initial authorization. The U.S., while not actively involved in the possible attack, has given tacit approval to an Israeli strike if diplomatic efforts fail to halt Iran.
The Times notes that no matter how an attack of this nature comes to pass, the U.S. knows that it and Israel will be held jointly responsible.
The U.S. carrot-and-stick efforts vis-a-vis Iran have concentrated lately on the carrot. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice announced last week that if Iran gives up its nuclear ambitions, the U.S. would remove its objections to allowing Iran to join the World Trade Organization, and would consider "additional financial incentives" for Iran. Rice also said, however, that major international sanctions would be considered if Iran did not cooperate.
Iran responded with a flat-out no, announcing last night that "neither threats nor incentives" would change Iran's nuclear pursuits. Reuters reports that "Tehran, which has a stated goal of destroying the Jewish state, says its nuclear activities are aimed only at electricity generation." The international community does not believe this, however.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, visiting in Mexico, told Reuters, "We must act quickly to prevent [Iran from producing nuclear weapons], for this would be a nightmare for Israel and the entire world."
Israel's plans, which have been practiced at a mock-Iranian nuclear plant in the Negev, include explosives-laden dogs, trucks with commandos disguised as Iranians, and bunker-busting bombs dropped from F-15 jets. Another rehearsal is scheduled for next month, the Times reported. Plans are being held up, however, both by the diplomatic efforts and by the lack of certain knowledge of all Iran's nuclear reactors and development centers.
The Times notes that no matter how an attack of this nature comes to pass, the U.S. knows that it and Israel will be held jointly responsible.
The U.S. carrot-and-stick efforts vis-a-vis Iran have concentrated lately on the carrot. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice announced last week that if Iran gives up its nuclear ambitions, the U.S. would remove its objections to allowing Iran to join the World Trade Organization, and would consider "additional financial incentives" for Iran. Rice also said, however, that major international sanctions would be considered if Iran did not cooperate.
Iran responded with a flat-out no, announcing last night that "neither threats nor incentives" would change Iran's nuclear pursuits. Reuters reports that "Tehran, which has a stated goal of destroying the Jewish state, says its nuclear activities are aimed only at electricity generation." The international community does not believe this, however.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, visiting in Mexico, told Reuters, "We must act quickly to prevent [Iran from producing nuclear weapons], for this would be a nightmare for Israel and the entire world."
Israel's plans, which have been practiced at a mock-Iranian nuclear plant in the Negev, include explosives-laden dogs, trucks with commandos disguised as Iranians, and bunker-busting bombs dropped from F-15 jets. Another rehearsal is scheduled for next month, the Times reported. Plans are being held up, however, both by the diplomatic efforts and by the lack of certain knowledge of all Iran's nuclear reactors and development centers.