Watchman Newsletter

Israel refuses to tell US its Iran intentions

The Telegraph (Link) - Adrian Blomfield (November 12, 2011)

Israel has refused to reassure President Barack Obama that it would warn him in advance of any pre-emptive strike on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, raising fears that it may be planning a go-it-alone attack as early as next summer.

The US leader was rebuffed last month when he demanded private guarantees that no strike would go ahead without White House notification, suggesting Israel no longer plans to “seek Washington’s permission”, sources said. The disclosure, made by insiders briefed on a top-secret meeting between America’s most senior defence chief and Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s hawkish prime minister, comes amid concerns that Iran’s continuing progress towards nuclear weapons capability means the Jewish state has all but lost hope for a diplomatic solution.

On Tuesday, UN weapons inspectors released their most damning report to date into Iran’s nuclear activities, saying for the first time that the Islamic republic appeared to be building a nuclear weapon. It was with that grave possibility in mind that Leon Panetta, the US defence secretary, flew into Israel last month on what was ostensibly a routine trip.

Officially, his brief was restricted to the Middle East peace process, but the most important part of his mission was a private meeting with Mr. Netanyahu and the defence minister, Ehud Barak. Once all but a handful of trusted staff had left the room, Mr. Panetta conveyed an urgent message from Barack Obama. The president, Mr. Panetta said, wanted an unshakable guarantee that Israel would not carry out a unilateral military strike against Iran’s nuclear installations without first seeking Washington’s clearance.

The two Israelis were notably evasive in their response, according to sources both in Israel and the United States.

IAEA report: ‘serious concerns’ on Iran nuclear activities

The Telegraph (Link) (November 8, 2011)

“The agency has serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme,” the keenly awaited International Atomic Energy Agency report, seen by AFP, said.

“After assessing carefully and critically the extensive information available to it, the agency finds the information to be, overall, credible.

“This information indicates that Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device.”

It added: “The information also indicates that prior to the end of 2003, these activities took place under a structured programme, and that some activities may still be ongoing.

“Given the concerns identified above, Iran is requested to engage substantively with the agency without delay for the purpose of providing clarifications.”