sexta-feira, 9 de dezembro de 2011

ATTACK ON IRAN

Lately the mainstream media seems to be intensifying the news about a possible attack against Iran, this week there were numerous news outlets announcing a preemptive strike against Iran by Nato, U.K, USA or Israel.

UK and U.S. 'draw up joint plan to attack Iran': Evidence of nuclear programme raises tension in Middle East

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2056873/Iran-attack-drawn-UK-US-Middle-East-tensions-rise.html#ixzz1cmhdh5Y0

Peres: I believe Israel, world approaching military option on Iran nuclear threat

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/peres-i-believe-israel-world-approaching-military-option-on-iran-nuclear-threat-1.393801

Netanyahu trying to persuade cabinet to support attack on Iran
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who previously objected to attacking Iran, was recently persuaded by Netanyahu and Barak to support such a move.


http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-trying-to-persuade-cabinet-to-support-attack-on-iran-1.393214

Today some even bigger news came out:

UN report to reveal evidence of Iran's nuclear weapons program
IAEA plans to share satellite imagery of a large steel container believed to be used for nuclear arms-related high explosives tests, diplomats say.

The U.N. atomic agency plans to reveal intelligence next week suggesting Iran made computer models of a nuclear warhead and other previously undisclosed details on alleged secret work by Tehran on nuclear arms, diplomats told The Associated Press on Friday.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/un-report-to-reveal-evidence-of-iran-s-nuclear-weapons-program-1.393823

The so called proof everyone was waiting and some hoping for.

Is it Iraq all over again? Is this something inevitable and just a matter of time now? Discuss.

UPDATES:

High ranking American officer: "We are concerned Israel will not warn before attack"

Military strike on Iran reactors closer day by day, says Ehud Barak

Israel's defence minister has said that a military strike on nuclear reactors in Iran is getting closer "day by day".

Ehud Barak said he hoped a report by the United Nations' atomic watchdog, which is expected next week, would "tell the truth to the world" about Iran's nuclear activities.

He said ''no option should be removed from the table''.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15595657

Israel, U.S. to embark on largest joint exercise in allies' history
U.S. Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro says security relationship with Israel is broader, deeper, more intense than ever before.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-u-s-to-embark-on-largest-joint-exercise-in-allies-history-1.393878


Executive Branch - POLITICS
U.S. Keeps Focus on Sanctions for Iran, Amid Speculation Over Israeli Strike


The Obama administration is cautioning the international community to stick with economic sanctions against Iran, as developments in Israel and at the United Nations fuel speculation about a possible military strike being pushed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iran has returned to the front of the foreign policy agenda, as the U.N. atomic agency prepares to release a key report next week on Tehran's nuclear program. It is expected to reveal intelligence suggesting Iran made computer models of a nuclear warhead, among other details, though the Iranian foreign minister calls the claims a fabrication.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/05/us-keeps-focus-on-sanctions-for-iran-amid-speculation-over-israeli-strike/#ixzz1csG7zC8q


IAEA to reveal Iran building nuclear weapons at base near Tehran
UN nuclear watchdog to release report on activities this week; Iran has carried out experiments in the final stage for developing nuclear weapons including explosions and computer simulations of explosions.

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/iaea-to-reveal-iran-building-nuclear-weapons-at-base-near-tehran-1.393920


IAEA report on Iran's nuclear program to be released Monday
Report will invalidate U.S. intelligence report from 2007 that stated Iran had stopped its work on nuclear weapons development in 2003.

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/iaea-report-on-iran-s-nuclear-program-to-be-released-monday-1.394081


NOVEMBER 7:


IAEA says foreign expertise has brought Iran to threshold of nuclear capability

Intelligence provided to U.N. nuclear officials shows that Iran’s government has mastered the critical steps needed to build a nuclear weapon, receiving assistance from foreign scientists to overcome key technical hurdles, according to Western diplomats and nuclear experts briefed on the findings.

Documents and other records provide new details on the role played by a former Soviet weapons scientist who allegedly tutored Iranians over several years on building high-precision detonators of the kind used to trigger a nuclear chain reaction, the officials and experts said. Crucial technology linked to experts in Pakistan and North Korea also helped propel Iran to the threshold of nuclear capability, they added.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/iaea-says-foreign-expertise-has-brought-iran-to-threshold-of-nuclear-capability/2011/11/05/gIQAc6hjtM_story.html


Condoleezza Rice: I have no doubt Israel will defend itself against Iran

Former Secretary of State says pressure on Iran is absolute must to prevent 'unintended consequences' of Israeli attack.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/condoleezza-rice-i-have-no-doubt-israel-will-defend-itself-against-iran-1.394218


Iran nuclear report: IAEA claims Tehran working on advanced warhead
IAEA findings could pave way to sanctions or military strike although no 'smoking gun' expected to be revealed in report

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/07/iran-working-on-advanced-nuclear-warhead

NOVEMBER 8:


IAEA report: Iran working to produce a nuclear bomb
Report by UN nuclear agency says Tehran continously worked toward a nuclear weapon since 2003; diplomatic source in Vienna tells Haaretz: 'This is the most damning report ever published by the IAEA.'

http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/iaea-report-iran-working-to-produce-a-nuclear-bomb-1.394422


IAEA report: 'serious concerns' on Iran nuclear activities
The UN atomic agency has "serious concerns" about Iran's nuclear activities, and has "credible" information Tehran may have worked on developing atomic weapons, a report said on Tuesday.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/8877429/IAEA-report-serious-concerns-on-Iran-nuclear-activities.html

November 12:
'Blast At Iranian Ammunition Depot Kills 17'
An explosion has killed 17 people at an ammunition depot near the capital of Iran, officials have said.

The blast apparently happened at a base belonging to the Revolutionary Guards outside the village of Bidganeh, some 25 miles west of Tehran.

Several others were wounded, some critically, according to reports.

A spokesman for the elite force told state television troops were moving munitions at the time.

Reports said the force of the blast shattered the windows of homes in the western suburbs of Tehran.

Iranian official Parviz Soroori was quoted on the parliament's website icana.ir ruling out sabotage.

http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16108910

Clinton Demands Iran Respond to IAEA Nuclear Report

http://video.foxnews.com/v/1272365257001/clinton-demands-iran-respond-to-iaea-nuclear-report/?playlist_id=86857


November 28:


Report: Explosion rocks Iran city of Isfahan, home to key nuclear facility
Semi-official Fars news agency says blast heard distinctly in several parts of the western Iran city; a uranium conversion plant near Isfahan went online in 2004.

An explosion rocked the western Iranian city of Isfahan on Monday, the semi-official Fars news agency reported, adding that the blast was heard in several parts of the city.

According to reports, frightened residents called the fire department after the blast, forcing the city authorities to admit there had been an explosion.Residents reported that their windows shook from the explosion's force.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/report-explosion-rocks-iran-city-of-isfahan-home-to-key-nuclear-facility-1.398312


November 30:

Report: Mysterious blast in Iran's Isfahan damaged key nuclear site
London Times quotes Israel intelligence officials as saying that satellite images show this week's reported blast in Isfahan was 'no accident.'

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-mysterious-blast-in-iran-s-isfahan-damaged-key-nuclear-site-1.398671

November 30:

Report: Mysterious blast in Iran's Isfahan damaged key nuclear site
London Times quotes Israel intelligence officials as saying that satellite images show this week's reported blast in Isfahan was 'no accident.'

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-mysterious-blast-in-iran-s-isfahan-damaged-key-nuclear-site-1.398671

December 1:

U.S. military chief: Unclear if Israel would alert U.S. ahead of attack on Iran
General Martin Dempsey says he acknowledges differences in perspective between the United States and Israel over the best way to handle Iran and its nuclear program.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-military-chief-unclear-if-israel-would-alert-u-s-ahead-of-attack-on-iran-1.398808

December 2:

Report: Iran authorities behind attack on U.K. embassy
Photographs from so-called student protest show members of Basij forces taking part; attack was also filmed life, something that is not permitted without approval by Khamanei.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-iran-authorities-behind-attack-on-u-k-embassy-1.399006


December 3:

Germany probing possible Iranian plot to target U.S. bases in its territory (DPA)

December 3:

Former Mossad chief: Israeli attack on Iran must be stopped to avert catastrophe
Meir Dagan speaks out against military offensive on Iran, expresses concern that Defense Minister Barak believes Israel only has less than a year to carry out an attack.


http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/former-mossad-chief-israeli-attack-on-iran-must-be-stopped-to-avert-catastrophe-1.399046

December 4:

Report: Iran shoots down U.S. reconnaissance drone
Iranian media reports U.S. spy plane that violated airspace along the eastern border was shot down and is in possession of Iranian troops.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-iran-shoots-down-u-s-reconnaissance-drone-1.399496

December 4:

U.S. says 'no indication' Iran shot down reconnaissance drone
NATO's U.S.-led mission in neighboring Afghanistan said however the Iranian report could refer to an unarmed U.S. spy drone that went missing there last week.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-says-no-indication-iran-shot-down-reconnaissance-drone-1.399519

December 5:

Report: Iran blast completely destroyed major missile-testing site
Israeli and U.S. intelligence officials tell New York Times recent explosion at military base near Tehran was major setback to Iran's long-range missile program.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/report-iran-blast-completely-destroyed-major-missile-testing-site-1.399619

December 6:


Saudi Prince Turki urges nuclear option after Iran
RIYADH Dec 6 (Reuters) - Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal, voicing alarm about Iran's nuclear programme, has said the leadership should consider acquiring nuclear weapons to counter threats from Tehran, and from Israel.

The prince, seen as influential though no longer holding public office, noted that Israel is widely assumed to have a nuclear arsenal and that Iran, Riyadh's arch-rival in the Middle East, is believed by many to be developing such weaponry.

http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL5E7N62G920111206

December 8:

Obama: US considering all options on Iran; will work with allies to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapon

December 8:

Iran state television displays 'downed U.S. surveillance drone'
WATCH: Revolutionary Guard top officer tells Fars news agency that military experts are 'well aware how precious the technological information of this drone is.'

Iraninan state television displayed what it said was a downed U.S. surveillance drone on Thursday, days after U.S. officials expressed concern that Tehran would be able to glean information about a classified military program.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/iran-state-television-displays-downed-u-s-surveillance-drone-1.400377