Israel is considering hitting Iran’s civilian nuclear facilities during the US presidential transition period, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.
The report cited an Israeli official familiar with the thinking inside the Israeli security cabinet who said the handover period might provide Israel with a window to attack Iran’s nuclear program.
Realistically, Iran would likely need US support if it wanted to do significant damage to Iranian nuclear facilities that are buried deep underground. A US official speaking to Bloomberg ruled out the idea of President Biden ordering an attack on Iranian nuclear sites in cooperation with Israel, but the US is vowing to defend Israel if Iran responds to recent Israeli airstrikes that hit Iranian territory.
The fact that Israeli officials are discussing the idea of hitting Iran’s nuclear sites signals that they are looking for another escalation with Iran before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated. During the last transition period in 2020, Israel carried out a covert attack inside Iran that killed Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a nuclear scientist.
Poster Comment:
Big mistake. Iran can pulverize Israel. The forthcoming response to Israel's last attack will deplete their air defenses. Two THAADs have 98 missiles at $1.5 million each. It would take 2 years to replace them from production, less if they are taken from America's other 5 THAAD units.
PS: THAAD can't stop Iranian missiles. They will send up a lot of drones to take out even more defensive missiles.
Israel only has 2 refineries and 6 electrical generating plants.