US Confirms Israel Behind Last Month's Air Strike In Iraq Against Iranian-Backed Militias

In this Monday, Aug. 12, 2019 file photo, plumes of smoke rise after an explosion at a military base southwest of Baghdad, Iraq. A fact-finding committee appointed by the Iraqi government to investigate a massive munitions depot explosion near the capital Baghdad has concluded that the blast was the result of a drone strike. (AP Photo/Loay Hameed, File)

Al Jazeera: US officials confirm Israel air raid in Iraq

Attack marks significant escalation in Israel's campaign against what it sees as Iranian military entrenchment in Iraq.

US officials have confirmed that Israel was responsible for the bombing of an alleged Iranian weapons depot in Iraq last month, The Associated Press news agency reports.

The attack marks a significant escalation in Israel's years-long campaign against what it sees as Iranian military assets in the region.

The confirmation comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly hinted that his country was behind recent air raids that have hit bases and munition depots belonging to Iran-backed paramilitary forces operating in Iraq.

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Update: US confirms Israel behind last month's air strike in Iraq against Iranian base (FOX News).

WNU Editor: The Israelis have been openly hinting for the past few days that they are responsible for recent explosions in Iraq .... Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Hints Again That Israel Is Attacking Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq (August 22, 2019).

Update #2: Strikes on Iran-backed militias threaten to destabilize Iraq (AP).

Iraq Warns Israel To Not Use It's Airspace To Attack Iran

Iraq Warns Israel Against Overflight En Route To Strike Iran -- Times of Israel

Deputy PM says violation of his country’s airspace to hit Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities would bring ‘consequences’

Baghdad has cautioned Israel against flying over Iraqi airspace en route to an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Monday’s statements marked the first time the Iraqi government has publicly declared it would not allow such an action.

“We have… warned Israel that if they violate Iraqi airspace, they will have to bear the consequences,” Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Hussein al-Shahristani told AFP. He added that Iraq would not disclose what the reaction might be to such an overflight, so that Israel will not able to “take that into account.”

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More News On Iraq Warning Israel To Not Use It's Airspace To Attack Iran

Iraq warns Israel on using airspace in Iran strike -- Space Daily/AFP
Israel will 'bear consequences' for Iraqi airspace violation -- The Commentator
Iraq warns against violating airspace to strike Iran -- Jerusalem Post
Iraq to Israel: 'You won't use our airspace to strike Iran' -- Al Bawaba
Iraq warns Israel on using airspace in Iran strike -- Middle East Online
Iraq: Israel to Bear Consequences in Case it Used Our Airspace for Iran Strike -- Al Manar

Israeli Facilities Worldwide Are On High Alert

Exclusive: Israel Warns US Jews: Iran Could Strike Here -- ABC News

Israeli facilities in North America -- and around the world -- are on high alert, according to an internal security document obtained by ABC News that predicted the threat from Iran against Jewish targets will increase.

"We predict that the threat on our sites around the world will increase … on both our guarded sites and 'soft' sites," stated a letter circulated by the head of security for the Consul General for the Mid-Atlantic States. Guarded sites refers to government facilities like embassies and consulates, while 'soft sites' means Jewish synagogues, and schools, as well as community centers like the one hit by a terrorist bombing in Buenos Aires in 1994 that killed 85 people.

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My Comment: Israel says this .... Iran says that. The end result is a worldwide alert.

More Speculation Of Israel Prepating For A Military Strike Against Iran

Photo: Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu Renews Speculation Over Military Action Against Iran -- The Telegraph

Benjamin Netanyahu has renewed speculation that he is considering military action against Iran after he was accused of attempting to appoint a pro-war officer as head of the Israeli air force.

The Israeli prime minister riled senior commanders by advancing the candidacy of his military secretary, Maj Gen Yihanan Locker, for the post after the present commander signalled his desire to retire.

Mr Netanyahu's reported interference in the military appointments system has prompted a political backlash in Israel and elicited a stiff protest from Gen Benny Gantz, the chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces.

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My Comment: The final decision to strike Iran will still need to come from Benjamin Netanyahu's office, but it gives an indication on what he is thinking.

How Israel's Biggest Drone Could Take Out Iranian Nukes

From Popular Mechanics:

This week the Israeli Air Force held a ceremony spotlighting the "operational acceptance" of its biggest unmanned aerial vehicle. Here, we explore how Israel could use this new vehicle to take out Iranian nukes. For an in-depth look at the way the U.S. Air Force is remaking its UAV fleet, check out the cover story of the March 2010 issue of Popular Mechanics, on stands now.

This week the Israeli Air Force (IAF) held a ceremony spotlighting the "operational acceptance" of its biggest unmanned aerial vehicle, the 4.5-ton Heron TP, or "Eitan." The far-flying UAV, with a wingspan almost as long as a 737 airliner, appeared on the runway with a comparatively diminutive F-15 alongside it. The IAF already rushed this UAV into action during the 2008–'09 war in Gaza, so the ceremony really served as a reminder to Iran that its drone fleets can reach the nation. But how will Israel use them?

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My Comment: This is all based on the assumption that Israel is going to attack Iran's nuclear sites .... for the moment this is a big if.

Iraq To Sue Israel Over Destroyed Reactor

AL-TOWEITHEH, IRAQ: Journalists are shown the destroyed Tammuz Iraqi nuclear reactor bombed by Israel during an air raid in 1981 and hit again during the 1991 Gulf War at al-Toweitheh, some 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of Baghdad Sept. 9, 2002. Iraq denied it had resumed activities at nuclear sites inspected by U.N. experts in the past and took the journalists on a tour to refute allegations to the contrary. (RAMZI HAIDAR/AFP/Getty Images)

From YNET News:

Iraqi MP says UN resolution backs suit against Israel for bombing Tammuz nuclear reactor in 1981.

An Iraqi parliament member said Tuesday that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki plans to sue Israel for damages done to his country following its destruction of the Tammuz nuclear reactor.

The Air Force bombed the site in 1981. Now, 29 years later, al-Maliki has instructed the Foreign Ministry in Baghdad to clarify with the UN whether it would be possible to extract compensation from Israel.

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My Comment: I am sure that they can sue .... but I doubt that they will be able to collect.

Israel Could Use Ballistic Missiles Against Iran: Report

Jericho 3 missile range is in red (Image from Israel Shamir)

From Reuters:

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Ballistic missiles could be Israel's weapon of choice against Iranian nuclear facilities if it decides on a pre-emptive attack and deems air strikes too risky, according to a report by a Washington think-tank.

Israel is widely assumed to have Jericho missiles capable of hitting Iran with an accuracy of a few dozen meters (yards) from target. Such a capability would be free of warplanes' main drawbacks -- limits on fuel and ordnance, and perils to pilots.

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My Comment: Raising the stakes and pressures on the other powers to do something with Iran's nuclear program.