Israel does not rule out strike on Iran

After the former Mossad chief described striking Iran as a “foolish idea,” an Israeli security official says there is no solution but to attack Tehran if other options fail.

“An aerial attack against Iran’s nuclear reactors would be foolish,” Meir Dagan said in a conference of senior faculty members at the Hebrew University in al-Quds (Jerusalem) on Friday

“Those who strike in Iran must realize that they may prompt a regional war, where missiles will be fired by Iran and by Hezbollah from Lebanon as well,” the former Mossad chief said.

In reaction to Dagan’s remarks, another former head of Mossad Dani Yatom said on Sunday that he personally would not rule out military action against Iran if all other actions are unsuccessful.

Israel’s Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz also criticized Dagan’s remarks as “unworthy,” adding that these comments did not take other options about Iran off the table.

Amid a standoff over Iran’s nuclear program, both Tel Aviv and Washington have repeatedly threatened Tehran with the “option” of a military strike, based on the allegation that Iran’s nuclear work may consist of a covert military agenda.

Earlier in the month, a source close to prominent Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s group said Israeli jet fighters had conducted drills at a military base in Iraq in order to strike targets inside Iran, Press TV reported.

According to the report, a considerable number of Israeli warplanes, including F-15, F-16, F-18, F-22, and KC-10 jet fighters, were seen at Al Asad Airbase — the second largest United States military airbase in Iraq located in Al Anbar Province.

Based on the report, Iraqi officials had not been notified about the drills conducted in collaboration with the US military.

Iran says its nuclear program is completely peaceful and within the framework of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, to which it is a signatory.

Iranian officials have warned that any act of aggression by the US and Israel against Iran’s nuclear facilities would be firmly responded to and could result in a war that would spread beyond the Middle East.