US said to mull 'surgical strike' on Iran
International relations expert David Rothkopf says US, Israel 'zeroing in' on military options; credible threat of pinpoint strike may prove to be a useful diplomatic tool
Yitzhak Benhorin
WASHINGTON – The US and Israel are "zeroing in" on the possibility of mounting a surgical strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, international relations expert David Rothkopf said in an article published by Foreign Policy Magazine, Tuesday.
According to Rothkopf, a former Clinton Administration official and one who is considered to be close to high-ranking officials in the Obama Administration, the threat of such a strike just might "have a chance of deterring the mullahs."
Rothkopf said that the advocates of this policy within the administration believe that it would not only achieve the immediate goal of creating a substantial setback to Tehran's nuclear program; it is also likely to be "more politically palatable" within the United States.
The leak may also be a trial balloon launched by the White House in an attempt to see what such prospects may bring politically.
Rothkopf cited "a source close to the discussions" as saying that the option discussed at this time is based on "a joint US-Israeli surgical strike targeting Iranian enrichment facilities."
The aerial strike "might take 'only a couple of hours' in the best case and only would involve a 'day or two' overall," the source said.
Such an operation would involve mostly bombers and drone support.
Read More:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4289855,00.html
International relations expert David Rothkopf says US, Israel 'zeroing in' on military options; credible threat of pinpoint strike may prove to be a useful diplomatic tool
Yitzhak Benhorin
WASHINGTON – The US and Israel are "zeroing in" on the possibility of mounting a surgical strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, international relations expert David Rothkopf said in an article published by Foreign Policy Magazine, Tuesday.
According to Rothkopf, a former Clinton Administration official and one who is considered to be close to high-ranking officials in the Obama Administration, the threat of such a strike just might "have a chance of deterring the mullahs."
Rothkopf said that the advocates of this policy within the administration believe that it would not only achieve the immediate goal of creating a substantial setback to Tehran's nuclear program; it is also likely to be "more politically palatable" within the United States.
The leak may also be a trial balloon launched by the White House in an attempt to see what such prospects may bring politically.
Rothkopf cited "a source close to the discussions" as saying that the option discussed at this time is based on "a joint US-Israeli surgical strike targeting Iranian enrichment facilities."
The aerial strike "might take 'only a couple of hours' in the best case and only would involve a 'day or two' overall," the source said.
Such an operation would involve mostly bombers and drone support.
Read More:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4289855,00.html
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