U.S. Says Exercise By Israel Seemed Directed At Iran

Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant

From The International Herald Tribune:

WASHINGTON: Israel carried out a major military exercise earlier this month that American officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Several American officials said the Israeli exercise appeared to be an effort to develop the military's capacity to carry out long-range strikes and to demonstrate the seriousness with which Israel views Iran's nuclear program.

More than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighters participated in the maneuvers, which were carried out over the eastern Mediterranean and over Greece during the first week of June, American officials said.

Read more ....

News From Other Sources On A Possible Israeli Strike On Iran:
Israeli attack on Iran is a question of when not if, reports Spiegel Online -- Daily Times
Israeli Ministers Mull Plans for Military Strike against Iran -- Spiegel Online

My Comment: Israel is going to bomb Iran's key nuclear facilities. They bombed Syria's this year, Iraq in 1981, and have been accused of targeting and assassinating suspected individuals involved in developing nuclear weapons. Why stop now?

What is probably holding them back is that they know that the consequences of such an action would be the following. Hezbollah and other Iranian allies will start to target and attack Jewish sites in the West. Shelling and rocket attacks from Gaza and South Lebanon. Shiite extremists attacking American and allied forces in Iraq. A possible oil stoppage that will push the price of oil to $200 a barrel (if not more). Protests and (maybe) military/diplomatic protests from oil dependent countries like India and China. A stoppage of oil production from Iranian allies like Venezuela. A possible world recession/depression with inflation occurring on basic commodities that are petroleum dependent .... and this list is just a small package of what could happen.

In the end, even knowing that the consequences of attacking Iran's nuclear sites will be severe, I believe the decision will be made to attack. The consequences of not attacking is something that Israeli leaders do not want to contemplate, and it is because of this mindset that will propel them to go over the abyss.

The only question that I have to ask is .... why is the American administration leaking out this story now?