Israel will hit Iran by ballistic missiles

[Huckleberry Finn]

This is my own scenario.

USA won't hit Iran. They'll leave the job to Israelis. US strike would be too costly politically, but Israel can afford it. Israelis can't use their airforces because US can't allow Israelis to use their basis in Iraq for same political reasons. Israelis can't circle Arabia Peninsula, because Syria would get early warnings to Iran....

So mark my words: Israel will use some ballistic missiles with conventional war heads. We don't know has Israel that far range weapons, but it's possible.

I know I know...Ballistic missiles are inaccurate and  Iranians nuclear facilities are under surface. However I have read an article written be some Israelis retired general who claimed that only minor damage would be enough, because nuclear technology is so easily vulnerable.

So, generals what you think?

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

Not Israel's style.

[Huckleberry Finn]

Not Israel's style.

It's not about style but limited possibilities.

[Banana Republic]

It is thier style but it wont happen

[The Vorlon]

I know I know...Ballistic missiles are inaccurate

Incorrect.

Modern ballistic missiles are generally equiped witht he same GPS based guidance systems that other munitions use.

Accuracy is +/- 3 meters or so operationally.

Israel, of course, has no surface to surface missiles. (They also, officially haver no nukes either) - It has been <<suggested>> that Israels "Arrow" ballistic missile defense program (based on the US aegis/Standard III missile package) may have a surface to surface capability.

[Jake]

Hmm, I don't think that if Israel needed to attack Iran, they'd care about overflying Jordan and Iraq to get there. They have the all-weather long range strike aircraft in the F-15E. I'm pretty sure they have ground penetrating guided bombs. All they need is the order to hit it.

[The Duke]

Hmm, I don't think that if Israel needed to attack Iran, they'd care about overflying Jordan and Iraq to get there. They have the all-weather long range strike aircraft in the F-15E. I'm pretty sure they have ground penetrating guided bombs. All they need is the order to hit it.

Might they need US help to get there and back?  I don't know the F-15E's range off hand, but I'd imagine its a very long haul, perhaps too long even for that fine bird without refueling along the way.

[Jake]

Hmm, I don't think that if Israel needed to attack Iran, they'd care about overflying Jordan and Iraq to get there. They have the all-weather long range strike aircraft in the F-15E. I'm pretty sure they have ground penetrating guided bombs. All they need is the order to hit it.

Might they need US help to get there and back?  I don't know the F-15E's range off hand, but I'd imagine its a very long haul, perhaps too long even for that fine bird without refueling along the way.

Loaded with drop tanks, globalsecurity quotes it as 2765 miles. If the target is Arak, it's about 1500 miles plus extra combat time, Bushehr is about 1800 miles if you cut through Jordan than Iraq. Isfahan and Natanz are about 2000 miles. A stretch for sure, but this is the ultimate Israel feels threatened scenario.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Hmm, I don't think that if Israel needed to attack Iran, they'd care about overflying Jordan and Iraq to get there. They have the all-weather long range strike aircraft in the F-15E. I'm pretty sure they have ground penetrating guided bombs. All they need is the order to hit it.

Might they need US help to get there and back?  I don't know the F-15E's range off hand, but I'd imagine its a very long haul, perhaps too long even for that fine bird without refueling along the way.

Loaded with drop tanks, globalsecurity quotes it as 2765 miles. If the target is Arak, it's about 1500 miles plus extra combat time, Bushehr is about 1800 miles if you cut through Jordan than Iraq. Isfahan and Natanz are about 2000 miles. A stretch for sure, but this is the ultimate Israel feels threatened scenario.

And what happens when US AWACS planes spot those F-15E's crossing Iraq?   Unless the US has already green lighted the Israelis doing this, it's a lose-lose situation for the US. (Even if the US has green-lighted it, the brown clumpy stuff is gonna hit the fan, but at least we'd in theory be prepared for it.)

If we don't stop the Israelis, about the least painful result will be Iran placing an embargo on oil exports and other Mid-East governments doing the same in sympathy (either real or in an attempt to appease their own jihadists)  $500 per barrel of oil anyone?

If we do stop the Israelis, the resulting political firestorm is likely to distract us from the real problem.  While Israeli governments are routinely led by a bunch of arrogant pricks who expect the US to meekly put up with whatever abuse they hand us (remember the USS Liberty?), they aren't so stupid as to pull a stunt like this unless they felt the threat was real.

However, I don't see the Israelis trying the direct route.  They do have approxiimately 8 air tankers. (a mix of KC-130's and KC-707's)  That's enough to allow the IAF to circle the Arabian peninsula on a single strike mission such as this.

[MODU]

There was a difference between Isreal attacking Iraq and Isreal attacking Iran.  Iran will not hold back in launching a counter-attack, dispite the presence of US forces in the region.  Isreal, on the other hand, is not that stupid, since it would unite most of the Middle East against them in a heart beat, dispite the decades of trying to ease the tensions in the region.

[??????????]

Hmm, I don't think that if Israel needed to attack Iran, they'd care about overflying Jordan and Iraq to get there. They have the all-weather long range strike aircraft in the F-15E. I'm pretty sure they have ground penetrating guided bombs. All they need is the order to hit it.

Might they need US help to get there and back?  I don't know the F-15E's range off hand, but I'd imagine its a very long haul, perhaps too long even for that fine bird without refueling along the way.

Loaded with drop tanks, globalsecurity quotes it as 2765 miles. If the target is Arak, it's about 1500 miles plus extra combat time, Bushehr is about 1800 miles if you cut through Jordan than Iraq. Isfahan and Natanz are about 2000 miles. A stretch for sure, but this is the ultimate Israel feels threatened scenario.

And what happens when US AWACS planes spot those F-15E's crossing Iraq?   Unless the US has already green lighted the Israelis doing this, it's a lose-lose situation for the US. (Even if the US has green-lighted it, the brown clumpy stuff is gonna hit the fan, but at least we'd in theory be prepared for it.)

If we don't stop the Israelis, about the least painful result will be Iran placing an embargo on oil exports and other Mid-East governments doing the same in sympathy (either real or in an attempt to appease their own jihadists)  $500 per barrel of oil anyone?

If we do stop the Israelis, the resulting political firestorm is likely to distract us from the real problem.  While Israeli governments are routinely led by a bunch of arrogant pricks who expect the US to meekly put up with whatever abuse they hand us (remember the USS Liberty?), they aren't so stupid as to pull a stunt like this unless they felt the threat was real.

However, I don't see the Israelis trying the direct route.  They do have approxiimately 8 air tankers. (a mix of KC-130's and KC-707's)  That's enough to allow the IAF to circle the Arabian peninsula on a single strike mission such as this.

At least someone is good enough here to bring up the disgusting actions of Israel against the USS Liberty. Israel should do more then apologize and admit it WASNT an accident!

[KillerPollo]

Hmm, I don't think that if Israel needed to attack Iran, they'd care about overflying Jordan and Iraq to get there. They have the all-weather long range strike aircraft in the F-15E. I'm pretty sure they have ground penetrating guided bombs. All they need is the order to hit it.

Might they need US help to get there and back?  I don't know the F-15E's range off hand, but I'd imagine its a very long haul, perhaps too long even for that fine bird without refueling along the way.

Loaded with drop tanks, globalsecurity quotes it as 2765 miles. If the target is Arak, it's about 1500 miles plus extra combat time, Bushehr is about 1800 miles if you cut through Jordan than Iraq. Isfahan and Natanz are about 2000 miles. A stretch for sure, but this is the ultimate Israel feels threatened scenario.

And what happens when US AWACS planes spot those F-15E's crossing Iraq?   Unless the US has already green lighted the Israelis doing this, it's a lose-lose situation for the US. (Even if the US has green-lighted it, the brown clumpy stuff is gonna hit the fan, but at least we'd in theory be prepared for it.)

If we don't stop the Israelis, about the least painful result will be Iran placing an embargo on oil exports and other Mid-East governments doing the same in sympathy (either real or in an attempt to appease their own jihadists)  $500 per barrel of oil anyone?

If we do stop the Israelis, the resulting political firestorm is likely to distract us from the real problem.  While Israeli governments are routinely led by a bunch of arrogant pricks who expect the US to meekly put up with whatever abuse they hand us (remember the USS Liberty?), they aren't so stupid as to pull a stunt like this unless they felt the threat was real.

However, I don't see the Israelis trying the direct route.  They do have approxiimately 8 air tankers. (a mix of KC-130's and KC-707's)  That's enough to allow the IAF to circle the Arabian peninsula on a single strike mission such as this.

At least someone is good enough here to bring up the disgusting actions of Israel against the USS Liberty. Israel should do more then apologize and admit it WASNT an accident!

Israel is evil I tell ya!

[Defarge]

This discussion reminds me of this hilarious animation
http://www.idleworm.com/nws/2002/11/iraq2.shtml

[KillerPollo]

This discussion reminds me of this hilarious animation
http://www.idleworm.com/nws/2002/11/iraq2.shtml

WOW! just... wow!

[MODU]

This discussion reminds me of this hilarious animation
http://www.idleworm.com/nws/2002/11/iraq2.shtml

I remember seeing that months ago.  It is funny.  hehehe