Region | Iran
Israel prepared to strike Iran
Israel's defence minister hinted on Thursday that Israel was ready to attack Iran's nuclear programme.
- AP
- Published: 23:53 July 10, 2008
- A modified business jet that could be key to any Israeli air strike on Iran went on display on Thursday ahead of its first exhibition at an international air show.
- Image Credit: Reuters
Occupied Jerusalem: Israel's defence minister hinted yesterday that Israel was ready to attack Iran's nuclear programme, saying it didn't balk before "when its vital security interests" were at stake.
"Israel is the strongest country in the region and has proved in the past that it doesn't hesitate to act when its vital security interests are at stake," Ehud Barak told a meeting of his Labor Party, alluding to Israel's 1981 airstrike on an unfinished Iraqi nuclear reactor. He, however, tempred the remarks by saying: "Currently, the focus is international sanctions and vigorous diplomatic activity, and these avenues should be exhausted."
The comments came as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Iran that the US will not back down in the face of Iranian threats against Israel. Iran responded yesterday by test-firing more long-range missiles in a second day of war games. "We are sending a message to Iran that we will defend American interests and the interests of our allies," Rice said at the close of a three-day Eastern European trip.
Tel Aviv displays its eye in the sky
A modified business jetthat could be key to any Israeli air strike on Iran went on display yesterday ahead of its first exhibition at an international air show.
The Israeli Air Force has already taken delivery of three of the Gulfstream G550 business jets, converted by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and a subsidiary, ELTA, to function as Conformal Airborne Early Warning and Control planes.
Such planes, crammed with sophisticated electronic gear, provide intelligence and communications assistance to strike aircraft and would likely play a central role in directing any Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear installations.
— Reuters
Share this article
Related Articles
-
Ahmadinejad dismisses US, Israel threats
Ahmadinejad dismisses US, Israel threats
-
Defiant Iran tests more missiles
Iran test-fires more missiles
-
McCain jokes about killing Iranians
John McCain jokes about killing Iranians with cigarettes
-
'Iran will target US interests worldwide'
Iran to target US interests if attacked, says Khameini aide
-
West angry over Iran missile test
West angry after Iran fires missile capable of reaching Israel
-
US moves against Iranian officials
US moves against Iranian officials
-
Iran should exercise restraint
Iran should exercise restraint
-
End Iran crisis with a peace deal
End Iran crisis with a peace deal
Popular in News
News Editor's choice
-
A year after 173 defenceless people were killed
Mumbai itself is far from safe from another deadly attack, even though the level of security consciousness of the average Mumbaikar has been raised since 26/11
-
Nato supports Obama's plea
European and other allies to send around 6,000 troops to Afghanistan
-
Official confirms mayor is the suspect
Many witnesses have come forward, justice secretary says
-
Into an oasis of values
A place to snuggle in the warmth of old manners away from the bustle of city life
