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Israel Says Iran Will Be Destroyed If Attacked As Wargames Tests Massive Attack Scenario
Jerusalem (AFP) April 7, 2008 An Israeli government minister warned on Monday that Israel would respond to any Iranian attack by destroying that country, public radio reported. "An Iranian attack against Israel would trigger a tough reaction that would lead to the destruction of the Iranian nation," National Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer said in remarks of rare virulence. "Iranians are aware of our strength but continue to provoke us by arming their Syrian allies and Hezbollah," he said during a meeting at his ministry. Ben-Eliezer, a member of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's security cabinet, stressed however that the Iranians were unlikely to attack as "they understand the meaning of such an act." Last month, Defence Minister Ehud Barak told visiting US Vice President Dick Cheney that "no option" would be ruled out in Israel's bid to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Israel, along with its ally the United States and other Western powers, accuses Iran of pursuing the development of a nuclear bomb under the guise of its civilian nuclear programme -- a charge Tehran denies. Israel considers Iran its top enemy following repeated calls by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the Jewish state to be wiped off the map. Ben-Eliezer also stressed that an ongoing five-day home front defence exercise was not meant to threaten Israel's neighbours, but stressed that "the scenarios considered in the exercise could be reality tomorrow." He said Israel could one day find itself in a situation in which hundreds of rockets rain down on Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. "Nowhere would be safe from Syrian and Hezbollah rockets," Ben-Eliezer said. The scenario for Monday's drill had Israel coming under simultaneous attack from Syria and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia in the north and from Palestinian militants in Gaza to the south. The exercise, which started on Sunday, comes amid media reports of heightened tensions along Israel's heavily guarded border with Syria and just days after Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora put his armed forces on alert.
earlier related report The five-day exercise, the largest in the country's history, is being staged against the backdrop of increased tension on the northern border, prompting the government to reassure Syria and Lebanon there was no hidden agenda behind the manoeuvres. The drill, which started on Sunday, simulates air and missile attacks on Israeli cities, and the use of non-conventional weapons by the attackers. As part of Monday's simulation members of the security cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, will have to make decisions after being told of widespread attacks and high numbers of casualties. Monday's exercise has Israel coming under simultaneous attack from Syria and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia in the north and from Palestinian militants in Gaza to the south. The government will also test coordination of vital services, including food distribution centres, hospitals and postal services. Over the next few days emergency sirens will sound across the country and schoolchildren will practise entering shelters and protected areas in the event of chemical and biological attacks on Israel. The prime minister and his staff will also train to work from an underground bomb shelter at the premier's Jerusalem office, officials said. Dubbed "Turning Point," the exercise follows widespread criticism of Israel's handling of the 2006 war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. It also comes after local media last week reported heightened tensions along Israel's heavily guarded border with Syria and days after Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora put his armed forces on alert. On Sunday, Olmert sought to reassure Syria and Lebanon that Israel did not want the drill to worsen tensions along its northern border. "The goal of the exercise is to check the authorities' ability to carry out their duties in times of emergency and for preparing the home front for different scenarios," Olmert told a weekly cabinet meeting. "There is nothing else hidden behind it. All the reports on tension in the north can be moderated and cooled down. We have no secret plans" behind the exercises, he added. Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has said the manoeuvres were primarily aimed at learning lessons from the Lebanon war, during which more than 4,000 rockets fired by the Hezbollah militia slammed into northern Israel. The 34-day conflict ended under a UN-brokered ceasefire after more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers, were killed. An official inquiry into the war harshly criticised Israel's leadership for failing to protect civilians during the conflict. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Ahmadinejad says uranium enrichment 'non-negotiable': report
Tokyo (AFP) April 4, 2008Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in an interview published Friday that he would reject any new incentives offered by world powers in return for suspending uranium enrichment. |
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