Israel preparing for attack on alleged Iranian nuclear sites
{{date|December 14, 2005}}

''[[w:The London Times|The London Times]]'' has reported that, according to military sources, Israeli Prime Minister [[w:Ariel Sharon|Ariel Sharon]] has ordered Israel's armed forces to be prepared by the end of March for an attack on alleged secret uranium enrichment sites in Iran.

Israel has officially denied that it plans to attack Iran. However, Sharon warned, "Israel—and not only Israel—cannot accept a nuclear Iran. We have the ability to deal with this and we’re making all the necessary preparations to be ready for such a situation."

Israel is now at "G" readiness, which is the highest stage.

Israel's general election is on March 28, which coincides with the March deadline set by Sharon.  Former Prime Minister [[w:Benjamin Netanyahu|Benjamin Netanyahu]], who is currently the frontrunner to lead the [[w:Likud|Likud]] party, claimed that if Sharon does not attack  "then when I form the new Israeli government, we’ll do what we did in the past against Saddam’s reactor, which gave us 20 years of tranquillity".

The uranium enrichment sites are said to be concealed in civilian locations.

==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1920074,00.html
|title=Israel readies forces for strike on nuclear Iran
|author=Uzi Mahnaimi and Sarah Baxter
|pub=London Times
|date=December 11, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-12-13T132511Z_01_DIT348279_RTRUKOC_0_US-ISRAEL-IRAN-NUCLEAR.xml&archived=False
|title=Iran could have nuke bombs in 3 years: Israeli army
|author=Megan Goldin
|pub=Reuters
|date=December 13, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=2387292005
|title=Israel dismisses reports of Iran attack plan
|author=Ben Lynfield
|pub=The Scotsman
|date=December 12, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2005/s1528735.htm
|title=Israel denies Iran attack plans
|author=Mark Willacy
|pub=ABC Online
|date=December 12, 2005}}
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[[Category:Israel]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Benjamin Netanyahu]]
[[Category:Iran]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Likud]]
[[Category:Nuclear proliferation]]
[[Category:Nuclear weapons]]
[[Category:Ariel Sharon]]
The London Times has reported that, according to military sources, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has ordered Israel's armed forces to be prepared by the end of March for an attack on alleged secret uranium enrichment sites in Iran.

Israel has officially denied that it plans to attack Iran. However, Sharon warned, "Israel—and not only Israel—cannot accept a nuclear Iran. We have the ability to deal with this and we’re making all the necessary preparations to be ready for such a situation."

Israel is now at "G" readiness, which is the highest stage.

Israel's general election is on March 28, which coincides with the March deadline set by Sharon.  Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently the frontrunner to lead the Likud party, claimed that if Sharon does not attack  "then when I form the new Israeli government, we’ll do what we did in the past against Saddam’s reactor, which gave us 20 years of tranquillity".

The uranium enrichment sites are said to be concealed in civilian locations.
Israel Middle East Benjamin Netanyahu Iran Politics and conflicts Likud Nuclear proliferation Nuclear weapons Ariel Sharon