AP Source: Israel Won’t Warn US Before Iran Strike
- Posted on February 27, 2012 at 9:12pm by
Scott Baker
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WASHINGTON—Israeli officials say they won’t warn the U.S. if they decide to launch a pre-emptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, according to one U.S. intelligence official familiar with the discussions. The pronouncement, delivered in a series of private, top-level conversations, sets a tense tone ahead of meetings in the coming days at the White House and Capitol Hill.
Israeli officials said that if they eventually decide a strike is necessary, they would keep the Americans in the dark to decrease the likelihood that the U.S. would be held responsible for failing to stop Israel’s potential attack. The U.S. has been working with the Israelis for months to persuade them that an attack would be only a temporary setback to Iran’s nuclear program.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak delivered the message to a series of top-level U.S. visitors to the country, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House national security adviser and the director of national intelligence, and top U.S. lawmakers, all trying to close the trust gap between Israel and the U.S. over how to deal with Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Netanyahu delivered the same message to all the Americans who have traveled to Israel for talks, the U.S. official said.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive strategic negotiations.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment, and the Pentagon and Office of Director of National Intelligence declined to comment, as did the Israeli Embassy.
Iran claims its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but the International Atomic Energy Agency has raised alarms that its uranium enrichment program might be a precursor to building nuclear weapons. The US has said it does not know whether the government has decided to weaponize its nuclear material and put it on a missile or other delivery device.
The secret warning is likely to worry US officials and begin the high level meetings with Israel and the US far apart on how to handle Iran.
But the apparent decision to keep the U.S. in the dark also stems from Israel’s frustration with the White House. After a visit by National Security Adviser Tom Donilon in particular, they became convinced the Americans would neither take military action, nor go along with unilateral action by Israel against Iran. The Israelis concluded they would have to conduct a strike unilaterally — a point they are likely to hammer home in a series of meetings over the next two weeks in Washington, the official said.
Barak will meet with top administration and congressional officials during his visit. Netanyahu arrives in Washington for meetings with President Barack Obama next week.
The behind-the-scenes warning belies the publicly united front the two sides have attempted to craft with the shuttle diplomacy to each other’s capitals.
“It’s unprecedented outreach to Israel to make sure we are working together to develop the plan to deter Iran from developing a nuclear weapon,” and to keep them from exporting terrorism, said Maryland Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee.
He traveled there with the intelligence committee chairman, Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., to meet Israel’s prime minister and defense minister, along with other officials.
“We talked about the fact that sanctions are working and they are going to get a lot more aggressive,” Ruppersberger added.
They also discussed talked about presenting a unified front to Iran, to counter the media reports that the two countries are at odds over how and when to attack Iran.
“We have to learn from North Korea. All those (peace) talks and stalling and they developed a nuclear weapon,” he said. “We are going to send a message, enough is enough, the stalling is over. … All options are on the table.”
“I got the sense that Israel is incredibly serious about a strike on their nuclear weapons program,” Rogers told CNN on Monday. “It’s their calculus that the administration … is not serious about a real military consequence to Iran moving forward.
“They believe they’re going to have to make a decision on their own, given the current posture of the United States,” he added.
U.S. intelligence and special operations officials have tried to keep a dialogue going with Israel, despite the high-level impasse, sharing with them options such as allowing Israel to use U.S. bases in the region from which to launch such a strike, as a way to make sure the Israelis give the Americans a heads-up, according to the U.S. official, and a former U.S. official with knowledge of the communications
Cooperation has improved on sharing of intelligence in the region, according to one current and one former U.S. official. Israel is providing key information on Syria for instance, now that the U.S. has closed its embassy and pulled out both its diplomats and intelligence officials stationed there, the U.S. official said.
——
AP National Security Writer Anne Gearan contributed to this report.
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Comments (99)
willbedone
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:00amSeveral prophicies reveal that in the latter days that Persia “Iran” will attack Israel. One prophecy in particular may indicate nuclear. But that’s not the end of the story. I cheated and read the end of the book and I know how it turns out.
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:10amCorrect! Persia (Iran) in Ezekiel chapter 38, and a neutron bomb in Zechariah chapter 14.
Report Post »poorrichard09
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:31amAmen to that!
Report Post »ScreaminEagle
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:46amOh hell no. That floppy eared ***** in the White House will rat you out. We’re with you. Stand with Isreal.
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 9:10amAlso that death will come out of the East riding a high horse (obama)
Report Post »ConstLaw
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 9:47amI wish Isreal would just do it and get it over woth. If Isreal destroyed all of Iran’s nuclear refining capacity in one night of bombing, it would be in the news for two weeks and then we could put it behind us. Just do it!!!
Report Post »MammalOne
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 9:51amWhat a softball prophecy. I could have told you that would happen, they’ve always been at war.
Report Post »4EverHis
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 9:51amYes, something will indeed happen to Iran, but it is not Iran that is the primary attacker in Ezekiel 38,
Report Post »Iran is by then, a tagalong, a follower of Gog (Russia), not a leader. This tells us that between now and then, Iran will be diminished greatly in any kind of power. Russia will lead the Ezekiel 38 attack/invasion. Ezekiel 38 will quickly follow the Isaiah 17 war which sadly is up next, and sets the stage for the invasion.
Pray, Pray for Israel!
MrSteve_46
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 5:49pmAnything Israel says it‘s getting ready to do would go first thing to the Iranian gov’t so they could shoot down the planes…. Don’t even tell them after it happens!!
Report Post »Jinglebob
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:16pmSmart move by Israel. The warning would be all over the Liberal media in no time. Obama would be on the phone to his Mid Eastern pals before heading on a vacation at a secure and unknown location.
Report Post »MCDAVE
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 11:16pmThe seeds Obama has sown in his middle east policies are about to bear fruit..War ,murder and destruction..history will judge him correctly and he will take his place in the company of other mass murderers..Mr Obama you are responsible for your actions…you created this mess..Israel is justified in not trusting you.
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:55amI wouldn’t “notify” them either. Why, so they can call Tehran on the phone and tell them all about it? I wouldn’t say crap.
Report Post »jasmer
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 7:42amPrecisely. All the hand-wringers conveniently forget that the President was on intimate family terms with at least one PLO leader, and perhaps two. Intimate meaning frequent dinner guests and babysitting the girls (at least, I HOPE that’s all).
http://www.wnd.com/2008/05/65108/
Report Post »00gabooga
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:37amExactly. This “Regime” occupying the White House would let the Iranians know faster than they can pick a tax-payer’s pocket. They’ve already proven they are no friend to Israel. But even if we were the best of friends, does Israel really need our permission to exercise their autonomy?
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:41amGo’s to show that Israel doesnt trust nobama2012 to keep his big mouth Shut.
Telephone call to Iminajihad.
Report Post »Ring Ring. Hello?
UHHH. Mr President. This is Barak Nobama. I just called to apologize, for what is about to happen tomorrow. Israel is going to bomb you. UHHH, I just wanted you to know, that I had nothing to do with.it. I will issue a stearn condemnation, as soon as the bombs start falling.
objectivetruth
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 9:38amHooray for Israel.Protecting itself from two enemys.The one that would bomb them and the other that would rat them out to the bombers.I give Israel credit for putting up with it all.Since when do they need our permission to strike a target that is a threat to their country.Especially when the threat adjoins them.It has never made sense to me, that we half a world away ,would be asked to do the first lead strikes instead of them.As though is were our country attacked.How did they and us get that brainwashed?
Report Post »Remember the old adage
God protects those who protect themselves.
KentuckyVet
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:51amAnd I for one am damn glad they will not. OBummer and his gang of Troglodytes would run to Ahmadineturd and rat them out.
Report Post »StonyBurk
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 7:43amAgreed. Given the domestic enemy residing in the WhiteHouse-and his known embrace of Islam Only a fool would telegraph their intent to a slave of Allah.What concerns me is the related concern what will our Govt. do if/when Israel strikes in defense of it’s National Interests?Can we rally quickly enough?
Report Post »waspanglosaxon
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:49amI’ve never understood why the so-called ‘conservatives’ here vehemently back Israel, one of the most anti-Western, anti-Christian, anti-American (remember the USS Liberty in 1967) counterfeit ‘nations’ on earth. The destruction of zionism will give Palestine back to the Palestinians and the US government back to the Americans.
Report Post »Ben__Franklin
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 7:12amLol….
Report Post »jasmer
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 7:44amTroll be trollin’
You need to do much better than that, bud. Go back to 4chan and work on your act.
Report Post »willbedone
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 7:56amIsrael simply retook the land that belonged to them.
Report Post »IntheKnowOG
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:19amThe USS Liberty incident has sopme serious “missing” information. The only account of what happened is provided by lower ranking crew members. Me thinks that ship was on a dual purpose mission. Wouldn’t be the first time. Better ask the democrats (LBJ) what really went on their before you blame Israel.
Report Post »PinTwister
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:26am**** ewe
Report Post »Downsouth
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 3:59pmWow. you really dont have a clue. Palestinians are nothing but rejects from the other muslim nations in the area. They dont have a country and never did. Israel is probably our closest ally.
Report Post »Joyzee
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:46amObama is an occupier of treason
Report Post »Walter P
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:33amCan’t say I blame them. If they let President Obama’s staff know ahead of time, the staff would tell Iran so they could be better prepared and then announce it internationally causing who knows what all countries to try piling on Israel. For the sake of our great country and the safety of the world, we need to vote out Obama in 2012.
Report Post »Joyzee
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:33amObama Jew Hater
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 7:23amIf people had looked at the church Obama attended for 20 years they would know that. The information was out there but, the media chose to ignore it. Yet, the media is intent on bringing up everything they can about Santorum’s religious views. Considering the high percentage of Jews in the meida, isn’t it a bit odd? I think it shows that liberal American Jews have adopted liberalism as their religion and chosen it over their own race and true religion.
Report Post »mikee1
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:32amWhy should they? Muslim, illegal prez who wants the backward Muslims to feel good about themselves, like all third worlders should. LOL. ANTI-ISRAEL POLICY, POPULATION OF “nazi, passive jews” in the U.S. But most of all, THE GOV. HERE IS TRYING TO BE NEO-SATANIST. The biggest target of the NEO-SATANISTS in the END TIMES (now) is ISRAEL. ISRAEL MUST FALL FOR SATAN TO REMAIN IN CONTROL OF THIS WORLD. It will not, of course. Satan’s allotted time is running out. ISRAEL’S IS ABOUT TO START.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:14amJust a nice way of saying they will not tell the administration so they can warn Iran and go on national tv and tell the world while Israel’s planes are in the air. These are shameful days in America.
Report Post »sndrman
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:21amisn’t it a shame to even think like this.like this is AMERICA now-a-days…..not to long ago we would have stood shoulder to shoulder with ISRAEL. funny thing God basically say whoever stands with ISRAEL will be blessed.
Report Post »midwesthippie
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:39am…exactly. and unfortunately our troops are right in the middle of what will likely be a mess.
Report Post »hugo65hsv
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 5:30amI can’t say I blame Israel for their attitude towards this administration… This administration shouldn’t be trusted.. We have traitors in office, that should be on trial for such and Israel can see that.. I wish Israel the best of luck in what they feel they have to do.. Obama is no friend to Israel or the American Jew..
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 5:56amWholeheartedly agree.
Report Post »Israel doesn’t owe us an explanation. Not after the way we continue to treat them.
We’re supposed to be allies and yet we (Obama, who represents us) continues to kowtow to their enemies, the Arab nations.
elihu
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 5:02amIsrael SHOULDN’T warn the U.S. before they strike. Maobama would only try to intervene. Israel is not only very capable of taking out Iran, but has proven several times in the past they can inflict fatal damage to the combined efforts of many Arab/Muslim countries. Good examples are the “Six-Day War” of ‘67 and the “Yom Kippur War” of ‘73. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating them…
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:53am“Public unity”? Remember the betrayal by Obama, Clinton, and the State Department. The Obama administration has little or no standing in the international community. Obama has bowed and made apoligies to no avail, and Clinton looks like the Mad Hatter going here and there, and saying all kind of wild things.
Report Post »Wrap those bunker-busters with plenty of bacon.
charleyrocks
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 5:04amYou need to worry as Americans. Your president is now wanting to reduce the money that goes into the military. This is not the time to do that and all of you should be worried. He also canceled nasa so now china will be able to hit the USA from space and any other country that is exploring space like Russia any one concerned? I am!
Report Post »edmundburk
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:36amIf i were Israeal‘s PM I wouldn’t tell the US either. But either way isreal loses because it would give
Report Post »Obama a reason to break releitions with Isreal,leaving them at the mercy of the anti-semtic world.
JJ Coolay
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 5:58amIsrael can take care of itself.
Report Post »They do afterall have one key element: GOD.
tiredofprogressives
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:22amGlad Israel is doing it this way. After Obama and his marxist’s treated Israel I would not trust the United States either. If little peebo got the heads up on the strike he would call Putin and Iran muslim leaders and give them the heads up.
Report Post »georgepatton
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:19amThe only smart thing to do!
Report Post »tomloy
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:06amMore than likely its because Obama would inform the Iranians. I trust Obama about as much as Saddam Hussein.
Report Post »nelbert
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:20amExactly.
Report Post »This administration has time and time again shown outright contempt for Israel in general and Netanyahu in specific. Why should they trust that we wouldn’t be an informant for Iran?
TerryDo
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:34pmIs it true, that the only countries in the world, that trust President Obama are the Muslim countries?
Do not trust Obama, Zion!
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:58amUranium only needs to be enriched somewhere around 2.5% (forget actual number) for power plants. Iran has enriched their’s to 20% currently and is adding thousands of centifuges. A bomb requires around 90% enrichment. From what I have read they will have enough enriched uranium to make 3 bombs within 18 months max. Say what you want, the facts point in only one direction.
Israel telling the US or not telling the US of an imminent attack is moot because the US will be blamed regardless.
If we or Israel attack Iran then all of the Middle East will come to Iran’s aid. If we can get Iran to attack 1st the rest of the Middle East would turn a blind eye to either Israel or the US defending themselves. This is the stalemate.
What Israel should do is have Koran burning parties and provoke Iran.
NoBama 2012
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:14amI bet Israel will hit them with a electromagnetic pulse bomb first. This will knock out their air defense and put them back into the stone age…… this is the only thing that would push Obama to do something. I think this card is on the table & Obama has to put up or shut up
Report Post »SmarterThanTheAverageBear
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:50amIf I were Israel I wouldn’t share anything with Odumbo. He would likely be the first to run off and help his Muslim buddies.
Report Post »ghostsouls
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 3:20amYou are exactly right, he told them when we were pulling out, he told them when we were leaving… He has given up more vital military information than Geraldo Rivera…
Report Post »Doc McCoy
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:38amI hope that Israel, at least, does send us a POSTCARD when their planes are back on the ground.
Report Post »“Dear America, brief visit to IRAN – wish you were here. ~ Love, your strongest ally.”
elihu
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 5:04amGreat comment!
Report Post »Shalom!
“Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem;
May they prosper who love you.”
(Psalm 122.6.)
JJ Coolay
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 5:59amNice!
Report Post »venture291
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:29amRussia upgrades Syria based radar for early warning of Israel?US attack. and more..http://debka.com/article/21774/
Report Post »Tandem2011
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:38amPutin and his puppet-masters are as much an enemy of the U.S. as is Iran. Putin is playing with fire. If nuclear war breaks out, he’ll get a big taste of his own radiation medicine. He cannot escape his own fate.
Report Post »Tandem2011
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:27amI’m with Israel — not our treasonous President Obama and his cronies.
Report Post »Brave Israel will do what’s right while Obama displays his cowardliness to the Muslim world.
AzTopCat
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:16amIsrael is very smart, Would you let Obama know??? They just don’t trust him nor should we the American people.. God are we in sad times. We need a President that is proud of America and one we can be proud of. That is not Obama!!!!!!!!!!!
God Bless America
Report Post »Tandem2011
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:45amMost informed conservatives knew what America was in for when we first heard of Obama’s (fraudulent) win in 2008. What’s painful to watch now is the rest of America finally waking up to what they willfully ignored four years ago. “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t force him to drink.”
Report Post »PoliticalTs.com
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:12amThis link shows, the same complexity as Irans nuclear capability.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhDPHb2RXI4
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 1:59amHopefully Israel is smart enough not to tell us. Look at what this Keystone Kop government just did with the koran burning. This government would be apologizing to Iran before Israel bombed them.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 1:32amThe friend of my Enemy… is probably an Enemy!
Report Post »Arshloch
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:07pmHorse hockey
Report Post »nowhereman
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 1:22amI think Israel is part of the problem. Why are they so hot to strike Iran when their the ones with a warehouse full of nucs. What is their rush to start a conflagration of the first magnitude. Why should they suck us into another conflict. We can’t keep playing the sheriff of the world like we have. We running around the world putting out other peoples fires. Last year it was France getting Obama to do their dirty work in Libya. Now its Israel’s turn to get us to do their dirty work in Iran. We’re being taken. Ever since 9/11 we’ve been taken.
Report Post »