This is where both Isreal and Iran are out of everyones hair.

I don't thinl calm heads will prevail... but I do think, we set Isreal up for this all along so when the time came we could alter religion and the region to our aims without fighting WW3 to do it.

I say look for Isreal to first strike and be destroyed by Russia or by proxy in the region... and the US and Nato failing to step in as Isreal makes the first strike... and that is our reason to not get involved

I just hope that if Israel does hit Iran, they will do so with such authority and level of destruction that eliminates this threat.

I just wish the US, as happened in WWII, did a lend/lease and lent them about fifty B-52-s loaded out for some serious destruction.

We'll have a war with Iran eventually. The longer we all wait, the greater the effort required. Personally, I rather the massive casualties be one-sided.

I think it is virtually guaranteed that the same day Israel believes that Iran has a working nuclear bomb they will attack first. My greatest fear, and I hope I am wrong, is that the inevitable Israeli attack will be nuclear rather than conventional.

Consider the following:

1. Israel doesn't have a large enough military to wipe out all of Iran's threats with conventional power.
2. Many of Iran's nuclear installations are so well protected that a conventional attack will likely not destroy them.
3. Israel will certainly be counterattacked so they need to preserve as much of their conventional force as they can for defense of their homeland.
4. Israel doesn't have a good air route to attack Iran. Their best attack route was from Georgia but Russia preempted that scenario. (This is possibly the REAL reason for their invasion of Georgia but that is already being discussed on another thread.)
5. Israel will not be able to mount repeated attacks on Iran – their first attack has to do the job completely.
6. Israel has very few friends so they will probably be no more hated for a nuclear attack than a conventional one.
7. It appears that the US has told Israel we will not support or approve an attack on Iran (I'm still not sure about this one – it could be disinformation.)

This all leads me to believe that Israel faces a horrible choice. They cannot live with a nuclear armed Iran – that would be suicide. They don’t have the conventional military power to fight Iran and destroy the threat. They aren’t getting any serious support from the international community on sanctions and diplomacy. They apparently aren’t going to get military help from the US. That only leaves one option that I can see.

Now before anyone attacks me and calls me a war monger, I say again, I am not promoting this idea – only stating that the possibility exists. The more Israel is abandoned and ostracized by the rest of the world (the US included) the more it becomes like a cornered wild animal. The world needs to understand that the “Sampson Option” should be considered a real possibility.

According to the site fas.org (The Federation of American Scientists) Israel’s nuclear arsenal is estimated to be from 100 to 400 weapons. Their Jericho 2 missiles are thought to have a range of 2000 to 4000km. They also have three diesel submarines that are believed to be armed with a few (maybe 10 or 12) nuclear cruise missiles. Given that much power, as well as second strike capability, I would expect other nuclear powers like Russia and China to opt not to get involved.

This is why I think the Iranian situation is SO dangerous. But as I said before, this is just my opinion.

I think we need to institute an inspection of all of Israels weapons systems and nuclear facilities. We should use scientists from other countries who have no religious or social ties to Israel. We should also withold any further $$$$ until they have withdrawn from the West Bank and COMPLY with the previous U.S. negotiated treaties.

Or just leave them uncovered to the mid-east, screw em, I don't need them or their attitudes.

^ Exactly. Thats why when it comes down to it, Russia and China will not intervene with Israel. Israel has second strike nuclear capability and Russia and China both dont want to lose 10-20 cities a piece because of Iran. Sure, there would be no more Israel left either, but they (the Israelis already know that and have taken that into account).

Good thinking. Let me give you another scenario:

Since the air approach over land will be not only noticed, but verifiable, regardless of whether they can fly it or not may not be the approach of Israel.

Imagine a number of "tramp steamers" and other assorted junk ships randomly traversing somewhere between Masqat and Karachi, but instead of hauling bulk cargo, they are fitted with nuclear tipped cruise missiles?

Launched at the right time, even if the launch points are noted, the launch is on the way, there is no way to positively identify the source country, and if arrangements sufficiently planned enable the Israeli launch groups to evade and egress the area, then who's to say who did what?

Just like Iran does with Hizballah. Plausible denial.

Off a handful of ships, especially if the cruise missiles are of the stealth generation, you can rig that deal to launch 40-80 nuclear missiles in just a few minutes.

And of course the US has publicly warned Israel not to attack. Plausible deniability. And if any proof is subsequently provided to indicate the attack originated from Israel, of course the US will be suitably critical.

The source of the launch? Who did it? Who knows! Maybe some fanatical Christian anti-Islamic group! Maybe a group of pirate/thugs. Maybe . . . maybe . . . etc.

That is how I'd do it. Keep your opponent's attention in one direction while you ease around and take out the back of his head.

Pop those puppies!

Dooper, And what if Russia/China decide to lend Iran weaponry what then. Its really nice how all you rascist biggots are quite happy to see the destruction of another country and its people and one that poses no threat to anyone which cannot be said of Israel.

Originally posted by magicmushroom
Dooper, And what if Russia/China decide to lend Iran weaponry what then. Its really nice how all you rascist biggots are quite happy to see the destruction of another country and its people and one that poses no threat to anyone which cannot be said of Israel.

I don't agree or support a military solution, but lets get this straight, Iran IS a threat to more countries than Israel is. It is a threat to Israel, a threat to Lebanon, Saudi Arabia not to mention its interfering in Iraq and Afghanistan. This illusion that Iran and its regime are "peacefu" is tantamount to ignorance!

Theblunt, no doubt you can back up your statements with proofs of course. Just who are they a threat to, who have they attacked and when, or is it just a case of that you believe what you are told and cannot decide for yourself what is truth or fiction.

I have not heard of any Iran Samson option have you? And its rich, interfering in Iraq and Afganistan, oh I see what you mean, they are trying to help their neighbours from being murdered by a corrupt dictatorship who's sole object is to rape and pillage the ME. Yes I have heard of the axis of evil the UK/USA/ISRAEL and what a cheek to think that these people think that they have a right to stand up for themselves and fight the foreign invader how dare they, dont they know their place, what a joke.