Israel drawing up plans for Iran bomb threat: Report
AgenciesPosted: Mon Oct 25 2010, 13:57 hrs===============================================Jerusalem:
AgenciesPosted: Mon Oct 25 2010, 13:57 hrs===============================================Jerusalem:
Despite assertions that "all options are on the table" to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capability, Israel is nevertheless drawing up contingency plans for the "day after" in case the Islamic Republic does manage to produce the bomb.
An Israeli foreign ministry team is working out the options, giving serious thought to adjusting to a reality where Israel is no longer, according to foreign sources, the sole nuclear power in the region, 'The Jerusalem Post' reported.
The Jewish state maintains a policy of ambiguity around its nuclear capability, neither confirming nor denying it, but foreign media reports put a very high number of nuclear weapons in its possession.
That the government is preparing various contingency plans for if it "wakes up one morning and there is a nuclear Iran" does not mean that Jerusalem has come to terms with this eventuality, but rather that it is preparing for it if it transpires, a government official was quoted as saying by the daily.
An Israeli foreign ministry team is working out the options, giving serious thought to adjusting to a reality where Israel is no longer, according to foreign sources, the sole nuclear power in the region, 'The Jerusalem Post' reported.
The Jewish state maintains a policy of ambiguity around its nuclear capability, neither confirming nor denying it, but foreign media reports put a very high number of nuclear weapons in its possession.
That the government is preparing various contingency plans for if it "wakes up one morning and there is a nuclear Iran" does not mean that Jerusalem has come to terms with this eventuality, but rather that it is preparing for it if it transpires, a government official was quoted as saying by the daily.
"You prepare for a natural disaster even though you do everything in your power to make sure that it doesn't happen," the official said adding, "You have fire drills, even if you do everything you can to ensure that a fire never breaks out".
The Foreign Ministry is not the only body drawing up "day after" options for Iran, the Israeli National Security Council is believed to be preparing similar papers as well, the report said.
Until now Israel had been focussing only on how to foil Iran's nuclear ambition, which it has dubbed an "existential threat", and there has been no discussion on how to adjust to the possibility of an Iranian bomb.
US on the contrary has been discussing at various governmental levels and in the media about life with a nuclear Iran, with some voices saying this cannot be avoided.
Some in Washington have opined that it should not be seen in apocalyptic terms as it may create the balance of deterrence that existed in the days of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union, the Post said.
In Israel, the feeling is very much that Iran with a bomb would indeed be a disaster, with no positive side to it, the report said.
Nonetheless it is a disaster which Israel, even while trying to avert, must prepare for, the officials reportedly said. (indian express)
The Foreign Ministry is not the only body drawing up "day after" options for Iran, the Israeli National Security Council is believed to be preparing similar papers as well, the report said.
Until now Israel had been focussing only on how to foil Iran's nuclear ambition, which it has dubbed an "existential threat", and there has been no discussion on how to adjust to the possibility of an Iranian bomb.
US on the contrary has been discussing at various governmental levels and in the media about life with a nuclear Iran, with some voices saying this cannot be avoided.
Some in Washington have opined that it should not be seen in apocalyptic terms as it may create the balance of deterrence that existed in the days of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union, the Post said.
In Israel, the feeling is very much that Iran with a bomb would indeed be a disaster, with no positive side to it, the report said.
Nonetheless it is a disaster which Israel, even while trying to avert, must prepare for, the officials reportedly said. (indian express)
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