Report: Panetta thinks Israel will attack Iran this spring

[Chris]

Report: Panetta thinks Israel will attack Ir... JPost - Headlines

Report: Panetta thinks Israel will attack Iran this spring
By YAAKOV KATZ 02/02/2012 20:34

United States Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta believes that Israel will attack Iran in April, May or June, the Washington Post reported Thursday. According to the report, written by the paper’s senior opinion writer David Ignatius, Panetta is concerned that Israel will launch an attack before Iran enters the so-called “immunity zone” when its nuclear facilities will be heavily fortified and a military strike will no longer succeed. Ignatius does not quote Panetta in the article but he is currently traveling with the secretary of defense in Brussels.

According to the article, Israel might decide to strike before Iran completes the fortification since afterward only America will be capable of stopping Iran militarily. “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doesn’t want to leave the fate of Israel dependent on American action,” Ignatius wrote. According to the report, Israel’s strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities could last five days which would be followed by a United Nations-brokered ceasefire.

[Chris]

Barak: Iran's nuclear program nearing 'immun... JPost - Headlines

Barak: Iran's nuclear program nearing 'immunity zone'
By YAAKOV KATZ 02/02/2012 19:47

Iran’s nuclear program is nearing the stage when it will enter the so-called “immunity zone” when it will be too heavily fortified for a military strike to succeed, Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned on Thursday night. Barak was referring to Iran’s recent decision to activate the Fordow enrichment facility which is buried close to 100 meters under a mountain near the city of Qom. Barak has said in the past that Fordow could not be destroyed in a conventional military strike. Speaking at the Herziliya Conference, Barak said that there was a consensus around the world that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon and posed a severe threat to the future of the Middle East and particularly to Israel’s security. “Many analysts estimate that a nuclear Iran will be more complicated to deal with, more dangerous and more costly in blood than if it is stopped today,” Barak said. “Whoever says later might find that it will be too late.”

[Chris]

Panetta lets stand report that Israel may attack Iran by June
Washington Post opinion columnist says U.S. Defense Secretary believes there is 'strong likelihood' that Israel will attack Iran in coming months; Panetta refuses to dispute report.
By The Associated Press and Haaretz

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta won't dispute a report that he believes Israel may attack Iran this spring in an attempt to set back the Islamic republic's nuclear program. Panetta was asked by reporters to comment on a Washington Post opinion column by David Ignatius that said Panetta believes there is a "strong likelihood" that Israel will attack in April, May or June. Ignatius did not say who told him this. Asked whether he disputes the report, Panetta said, "No, I'm just not commenting." He added, "What I think and what I view, I consider that to be an area that belongs to me and nobody else." He noted that Israel has stated publicly that it is considering military action against Iran. He said the U.S. has "indicated our concerns."

more...................Panetta lets stand report that Israel may attack Iran by June - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News