Israel to brief Bush on options for Iran strike

Israel still doesn't have 'smoking gun'

In the midst of a highly competitive US presidential race, events occurring in the Middle East are threatening to take center stage.

As CNN reported Monday, a US Navy vessel was given orders to fire on an Iranian ship which purportedly threatened to "explode" it and was dropping white boxes in the water. Meanwhile, a little noticed report in the UK press gives new fears to those who believe the US is still considering mounting an attack on Iran.

Israel security officials are set to brief President Bush on their "Iran file" regarding the country's alleged nuclear weapons program "and how it could be destroyed - when he begins a tour of the Middle East in Jerusalem this week," the UK Times Uzi Mahnaimi reported Sunday.

"Ehud Barak, the defence minister, is said to want to convince him that an Israeli military strike against uranium enrichment facilities in Iran would be feasible if diplomatic efforts failed to halt nuclear operations," the paper added. "A range of military options has been prepared."

Despite a US National Intelligence Estimate last month which asserted that Iran abandoned a secret nuclear weapons program in 2003, Israel believes the program has been restarted. Still, the evidence largely matches the US estimate.

Today, an Israeli news service reported that Israel "does not have any evidence which could turn the tables on a recent US intelligence report which concluded that Iran has stopped developing nuclear weapons."

A secret cabinet discussion at the "Prime Minister's Office [yesterday] was aimed at examining whether Israel had different evidence than the Americans," YNetNews reported. During the discussion it was made clear that more than 90% of the intelligence information possessed by Israel was identical to the information presented to the American president.

"Nonetheless, the additional information does not confirm that Tehran resumed its secret activity to create military nuclear capabilities after 2003," the publication added. "Although the Israeli information points to suspicions that this is in fact Iran's intention, its does not contain enough evidence which will allow Bush to return to Washington with information which will lead to firm action by the international community."

"While security officials are reluctant to reveal all their intelligence, fearing that leaks could jeopardise [sic] the element of surprise in any future attack, they are expected to present the president with fresh details of Iran’s enrichment of uranium - which could be used for civil or military purposes - and the development of missiles that could carry nuclear warheads," Mahnaimi wrote.

He added, "In an interview with the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot this weekend, Bush argued that in spite of the US intelligence assessment, Iran still posed a threat."

Israeli president says war unlikely

Two weeks ago, however, Israeli President Shimon Peres said he did not believe a war with Iran would be necessary but called for the end of the current government in Tehran.

Peres told the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was dangerous for Israel and the region but that other means could be used to contain the threat.

"I do not think that a war with Iran is necessary," he said when asked if he supported a military strike against the country.

"Ahmadinejad can be deposed by other means. Sanctions have revealed themselves to be a very effective instrument. Sanctions, not war, did away with North Korea's nuclear weapons."

He said he did not believe the Iranian people wanted to destroy Israel or develop nuclear arms.

"The majority is not ready to trade Allah and Mohammed for enriched uranium. Those that, like Iran, threaten the future of humanity have no future themselves. We will survive Ahmadinejad."