Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

[88Mariner]

It appears that Israel, in the last peacful moments of its existence, has drawn up plans to destroy Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities. While they are just plans at this point, I believe this may simply be a cover to draw out Iran into the open, or perhaps to simply gauge public and local reaction. Then again, this may not be a drill.

Based on the past few months in particular, not to ignore the last few decades, does anyone believe Israel would be justified to strike Iran for its own self-defense?

[subterFUSE]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

It appears that Israel, in the last peacful moments of its existence, has drawn up plans to destroy Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities. While they are just plans at this point, I believe this may simply be a cover to draw out Iran into the open, or perhaps to simply gauge public and local reaction. Then again, this may not be a drill.

Based on the past few months in particular, not to ignore the last few decades, does anyone believe Israel would be justified to strike Iran for its own self-defense?

This is no surprise. Israel cannot allow Iran to go nuclear. If it appears as though Iran is getting close to having nukes, Israel will bomb those sites. They have no other choice.

Israel has nukes, and everyone knows it. But if Iran gets nukes, Israel's nukes no longer present the same level of deterrant. This is because Israel is a small country, which could be completely wiped out by a few nukes. Whereas Iran is huge, and sparsely populated. Even if Israel used every nuke in their arsenal, they couldn't kill more than about 50% of the Iranian population. So their nuke program only has deterrant power so long as Iran DOESN'T have them.

So, if Iran gets close to having nukes..... and the UN won't do anything (big fucking surprise), then Israel will act. And the USA will have to defend them in the aftermath.

[88Mariner]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

So, if Iran gets close to having nukes..... and the UN won't do anything (big fucking surprise), then Israel will act. And the USA will have to defend them in the aftermath.

So basically I should be packing my bags for Canada five minutes ago...

Would it be too far of a stretch to hypothesize that we went to Iraq so that we were already on the doorstep of Tehran should this scenario play out?

[RiseandShine]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

we're all going to die

[Lorn]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

This is just political junky crap. Every country who has nukes has plans to use them in case they need to. It shouldn't be news. Nor should people think the real plans will be published in some newspaper.

[superdave]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

This is nothing new. Every country has military plans for many different scenarios. If they don't, the military isn't doing their job.

[davetlv]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

So much to say so little time.

So the Sunday Times is reporting that

ISRAEL has drawn up secret plans to destroy Iran?s uranium enrichment facilities with tactical nuclear weapons.

I'm sure that the Newspaper has it on very good authority that this indeed the case (insert bitter hint of sarcasm).

But lets look at three little facts first of all shall we:

1. Israel has been repeatedly threatend since it apparantly obtained nuclear weapons in the late fifties and on each occasion has opted for a conventional approcach to such attacks.

2. Out of the 'nuclear club' Israel is the ONLY country that has NEVER tested its nuclear weapons - as opposed to the most recent member of that club, N. Korea, who tested last year.

3. Whilst an apparent nuclear power, Israel has NEVER threatened to 'wipe of the map' any of its neighbors, unlike the current regime in Iran who at every occasion talk about the destruction of the Zionist entity (namely Israel).

With that in mind, I'm sure any rational human being can figure out themselves whether the Sunday Times story has any merit at all

[88Mariner]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

1. Israel has been repeatedly threatend since it apparantly obtained nuclear weapons in the late fifties and on each occasion has opted for a conventional approcach to such attacks.

conventional approaches each time you say? then why all of a sudden are they drawing up plans for a tactical nuclear strike? would that not lend credibility to what this paper says?

2. Out of the 'nuclear club' Israel is the ONLY country that has NEVER tested its nuclear weapons - as opposed to the most recent member of that club, N. Korea, who tested last year.

never tested does not necessarily preclude them from using those weapons, does it? Being that they intend to use tactical nukes, a product, i'm sure, of American design, what reason would they have to test them. (I can think of a number of reasons why they have not so far)

3. Whilst an apparent nuclear power, Israel has NEVER threatened to 'wipe of the map' any of its neighbors, unlike the current regime in Iran who at every occasion talk about the destruction of the Zionist entity (namely Israel).

Perhaps that tide is changing because of these new circumstances they have not faced in past decades? Besides, thier arsenal couldn't wipe out Iran anyways. Probably half the population, and even more so in the years following. That being said, tactical nuclear weapons aren't meant to wipe out regional populations.

[Localizer]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

Regardless of whether or not they actually go through with these 'secret' plans, another war will ensue. If there is ever a reason for the world to end, it will be because of this conflict. Sides will form - N Korea, Russia, and Venezuela will hop in and probably persuade Pakistan to join as well.

[davetlv]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

conventional approaches each time you say? then why all of a sudden are they drawing up plans for a tactical nuclear strike? would that not lend credibility to what this paper says?

If the paper is right, which quite frankly I doubt.

never tested does not necessarily preclude them from using those weapons, does it? Being that they intend to use tactical nukes, a product, i'm sure, of American design, what reason would they have to test them. (I can think of a number of reasons why they have not so far)

Indeed it doesnt, but who says, apart from the Sunday Times (whos reliability is suspect on this and many other matters) that we intend to use them? Also, every nuclear playes has no doubt scenarios where they use these weapons; do you think India and Pakistan have not developed plans where the will use nukes against each other? There is a clear difference between intent and actual use of such weapons, is there not?

Perhaps that tide is changing because of these new circumstances they have not faced in past decades? Besides, thier arsenal couldn't wipe out Iran anyways. Probably half the population, and even more so in the years following. That being said, tactical nuclear weapons aren't meant to wipe out regional populations.

Perhaps this is a non-story

[88Mariner]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

meh. wasn't trying to ruffle feathers. i'm a devil's advocate.

per your second paragraph: again, these are tactical nukes. think LGB's with low yields. very low yields. i wouldn't doubt israel has plans for thier larger high-yield nukes, or anyone else who has nukes. but with tactical nukes, it's a case-by-case scenario. in this instance, my understanding is that israel would use bunker-busting bombs to open up the site, and moments later, drop in a tactical nuke to finish the job.

on a side note, this reminds me of goldgingers plot to iradiate Fort Knox and the gold reserves. there's a joke in there somewhere, but i'm not gonna touch it.

[Miroslav]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

Israel probably has plans for tactical nuclear strikes on every damn country around it for the past 20 years (or however long they've had nukes). I highly doubt that any credible military source in Israel (or anywhere else for that matter) would ever tell a newspaper that it's bantering back and forth at the office about doing a tactical nuclear strike on a nation.

[davetlv]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

Israel probably has plans for tactical nuclear strikes on every damn country around it for the past 20 years (or however long they've had nukes). I highly doubt that any credible military source in Israel (or anywhere else for that matter) would ever tell a newspaper that it's bantering back and forth at the office about doing a tactical nuclear strike on a nation.

LOL

I can imagine now the water cooler chat between Chief of Staff Dan Halutz and his Deputy Maj. Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky;

Halutz: Hey Moshie we're going to take out Iran

Kaplinsky: Cool Dan, lets use tactical weapons and aim at their nuclear facilities

Halutz: Great idea, now off you go and leak the story to the Sunday Times

Kaplinsky: Fine, but when the leak is traced, i'm blaming you.

Halutz: Sure, why not, i get blamed for everything anyhow

Kaplinsky: Who was talking about Lebanon

[AntonyM]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

^^^^^^^
Exactly

[thesightless]

Re: Tactical Nuke Strike on Iran

these towelheads want a nuke programme, i say give it to them. they have been fighting since 637, and havent stopped. lets induce the stoppage. another few nukes dropped on key iranian and saudi interests would only help the world as a whole in the long run.