{"id":46593,"date":"2011-11-11T02:57:39","date_gmt":"2011-11-11T00:57:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/?p=46593"},"modified":"2023-04-06T15:40:54","modified_gmt":"2023-04-06T12:40:54","slug":"israel-may-launch-strike-on-iran-as-soon-as-next-month-to-prevent-development-of-nuclear-weapons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/2011\/11\/11\/israel-may-launch-strike-on-iran-as-soon-as-next-month-to-prevent-development-of-nuclear-weapons\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel may launch strike on Iran as soon as next month to prevent development of nuclear weapons"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: bold;\">Senior Foreign Office figure: \u2018We\u2019re expecting something as early as Christmas, or very early in the new year\u2019<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By Tim Shipman<\/p>\n<p>Last updated at 8:30 AM on 10th November 2011<\/p>\n<div class=\"facebookLikeTop\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"floatRHS\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"blkBorder\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/11\/09\/article-0-0EBB0CD400000578-467_306x423.jpg\" alt=\"Foreign Secretary William Hague, speaking today in the House of Commons, London, warned the UN report into Iran's nuclear ambitions could spark a regional arms race\" width=\"306\" height=\"423\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Foreign Secretary William Hague, speaking yesterday in the House of Commons, London, warned the UN report into Iran&#8217;s nuclear ambitions could spark a regional arms race<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Israel will launch military action to prevent Iran developing a nuclear weapon as soon as Christmas, intelligence chiefs have warned.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">A report by a UN watchdog into Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions \u2018completely discredits\u2019 the Islamic nation\u2019s protestations of innocence, according to Foreign Secretary William Hague.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">The International Atomic Energy Agency found that Iran is developing a nuclear test facility, nuclear detonators and computer modelling for a nuclear warhead that would fit on an existing missile.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Sources say the understanding at the top of the British Government is that Israel will attempt to strike against the nuclear sites \u2018sooner rather than later\u2019 \u2013 with logistical support from the U.S.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">A senior Foreign Office figure has revealed that ministers have been told to expect Israeli military action, adding: \u2018We\u2019re expecting something as early as Christmas, or very early in the new year.\u2019<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Officials believe President Barack Obama would have to support the Israelis or risk losing vital Jewish-American support in the next presidential election.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">In recent weeks, Ministry of Defence sources confirmed that contingency plans have been drawn up in the event that the UK decided to support military action.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">But the source ruled out direct British support, adding: \u2018Of course we are not in favour of Iran developing a bomb \u2013 but do we think they\u2019d use it: no.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">\u2018The bigger concern is it will be impossible to stop Saudi Arabia and Turkey from developing their own weapons.\u2019<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Mr Hague said Britain would push for more sanctions against Tehran when the IAEA committee meets later this month.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-46594\" title=\"A.NEJAT-\" src=\"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/A.NEJAT-.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"634\" height=\"391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/A.NEJAT-.jpg 634w, https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/A.NEJAT--300x185.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Meeting the masses: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves to supporters while visiting the city of Shahrekord, of Tehran. He vowed that Iran will not retreat &#8216;one iota&#8217; from its nuclear programme<\/p>\n<div class=\"artSplitter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"blkBorder\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/11\/09\/article-2059339-0EBA393D00000578-779_634x387.jpg\" alt=\"All smiles: Ahmadinejad hit out at the IAEA, saying it is discrediting itself by siding with 'baseless' U.S. claims that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons\" width=\"634\" height=\"387\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">All smiles: Ahmadinejad hit out at the IAEA, saying it is discrediting itself by siding with &#8216;baseless&#8217; U.S. claims that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Iran\u2019s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, meanwhile, vowed not to retreat \u2018one iota\u2019 from its nuclear programme.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">In a statement on Middle Eastern affairs, the Foreign Secretary was critical of Israel\u2019s \u2018occupation\u2019 of Palestinian land.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">But he announced Britain will abstain on a UN vote later this week to give statehood to Palestinians.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floatRHS art-ins news\">\n<h3 class=\"wocc\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">KEY FINDINGS IN UN REPORT ON IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAMME<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"ins cleared xolcc bdrcc\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">In its latest report on Iran, the UN International Atomic Energy Agency outlines the sum of its knowledge on the Islamic Republic&#8217;s alleged secret nuclear weapons work, including:<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Clandestine procurement of equipment and design information needed to make such arms;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">High explosives testing and detonator development to set off a nuclear charge;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Computer modelling of a core of a nuclear warhead;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Preparatory work for a nuclear weapons test, and<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Developing and mounting a nuclear payload onto its Shahab 3 intermediate range missile &#8211; a weapon that can reach Israel, Iran&#8217;s arch foe.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Yesterday the Iranian president gave a passionate speech to thousands of supporters in central Iran, and broadcast on live state television, denouncing <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">the UN report.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">He hit out at <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">the IAEA, saying it is discrediting itself by siding with &#8216;baseless&#8217; U.S. claims that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">The U.S. has yet to comment on the findings, but France said it is ready to push for sanctions of &#8216;an unprecedented scale&#8217; if <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Iran refuses to answer new questions about its nuclear programme.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said that if Iran fails to answer concerns raised by the report, the international community should raise diplomatic pressure to a new level.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">China isn&#8217;t publicly commenting yet on the U.N. assessment in a likely sign that it will wait for Washington and Moscow to signal their intentions. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei yesterday said that Beijing is studying the report and repeated calls for dialogue and co-operation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Speaking to supporters in the city of Shahrekord, Ahmadinejad said Iran will not stop its nuclear development, adopting a defiant position against the report, which could spur efforts for new sanctions against his country.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">He said: &#8216;If you think you can change the situation of the world through putting pressures on Iran, you are deadly wrong. The Iranian nation will not withdraw an iota.&#8217;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, not weapons production.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Ahmadinejad&#8217;s regime is already thought to have built a top-secret explosives test facility at a site in Parchin, just outside Tehran, where it is conducting experiments to develop a weapon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Scientists are building hi-tech precision detonators which would be essential for a nuclear device, and developing a uranium core for a nuclear warhead, the UN said.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"blkBorder\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/11\/09\/article-2059339-0EBA2E5C00000578-191_634x380.jpg\" alt=\"Spreading the word: Ahmadinejad is adopting a defiant position against the report, which could spur efforts for new sanctions against his country\" width=\"634\" height=\"380\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Spreading the word: Ahmadinejad is adopting a defiant position against the report, which could spur efforts for new sanctions against his country<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"blkBorder\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/11\/09\/article-2059339-0EBA3C4500000578-27_634x426.jpg\" alt=\"Nationalism: Supporters of Ahmadinejad wave flags during his speech in Shahrekord\" width=\"634\" height=\"426\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Nationalism: Supporters of Ahmadinejad wave flags during his speech in Shahrekord<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">The report also lays bare that Iranian scientists are trying to mount a nuclear payload into their Shahab 3 missiles &#8211; which can reach Israel, Iran\u2019s arch foe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">The report <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">compiled by Yukiya Amano<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\"> is the strongest sign yet that Iran seeks to build a nuclear arsenal, despite <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Tehran&#8217;s insistence its nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">The document claims that while some of the suspected secret nuclear work by Iran can have peaceful purposes, &#8216;others are specific to nuclear weapons.&#8217;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">A 13-page attachment to the agency&#8217;s Iran report details intelligence and IAEA research that shows Tehran working on all aspects of research toward making a nuclear weapon, including fitting a warhead onto a missile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Ahead of the report&#8217;s release, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak warned of a possible Israeli military strike against Iran&#8217;s nuclear programme.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">He told Israel Radio that he did not expect any new U.N. sanctions on Tehran to persuade it to stop its nuclear defiance, adding: &#8216;We continue to recommend to our friends in the world and to ourselves, not to take any option off the table.&#8217;<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">The &#8216;all options on the table&#8217; phrase is often used by Israeli politicians to mean a military assault.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"blkBorder\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/11\/09\/article-2059147-0EB5332300000578-177_634x499.jpg\" alt=\"Iran is pursuing its nuclear weapons program at the Parchin military base about 30 kilometres from Tehran, diplomatic sources in Vienna say \" width=\"634\" height=\"499\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Iran is pursuing its nuclear weapons program at the Parchin military base about 30 kilometres from Tehran, diplomatic sources in Vienna say<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">While some of the suspected secret nuclear work outlined in the annex could also be used for peaceful purposes, &#8216;others are specific to nuclear weapons&#8217;, the report claims.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Some of the information contained in the annex was new &#8211; including evidence of a large metal chamber at a military site for nuclear-related explosives testing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">The bulk, however, was a compilation and expansion of alleged work already partially revealed by the agency.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">But a senior diplomat familiar with the report said its significance lay in its comprehensiveness, thereby reflecting that Iran apparently had engaged in all aspects of testing that were needed to develop such a weapon.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Also significant was the agency&#8217;s decision to share most of what it knows or suspect about Iran&#8217;s secret work with the 35-nation IAEA board and the U.N. Security Council after being stonewalled by Tehran in its attempts to probe such allegations.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">Copies of the report went to board members and the council, which has imposed four sets of U.N. sanction on Tehran for refusing to stop activities that could be used to make a nuclear weapon and refusing to cooperate with IAEA attempts to fully understand its nuclear program.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"blkBorder\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/11\/09\/article-2059339-0EB8F96D00000578-866_634x426.jpg\" alt=\"Inspection: Ahmadinejad visits the Natanz Uranium Enrichment Facility in April 2008\" width=\"634\" height=\"426\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Inspection: Ahmadinejad visits the Natanz Uranium Enrichment Facility in April 2008<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"blkBorder\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/11\/09\/article-2059147-0EB4E79C00000578-362_634x392.jpg\" alt=\"The nuclear power plant in Bushehr, southern Iran - a site that may be targeted in a mooted military strike\" width=\"634\" height=\"392\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">The nuclear power plant in Bushehr, southern Iran &#8211; a site that may be targeted in a mooted military strike<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">The agency said the annex was based on more than 1,000 pages of intelligence and other information forwarded by more than 10 nations and material gathered by the IAEA itself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">The report suggests that Iran made computer models of a nuclear warhead and includes satellite imagery of a large steel container the IAEA believes is used for nuclear arms-related high explosives tests.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">In remarks broadcast on state television, Ahmadinejad said that International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano was simply repeating U.S. allegations. &#8216;He delivers the papers that American officials hand on him,&#8217; Ahmadinejad said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">&#8216;I am sorry that a person is heading the agency who has no power by himself and violates the agency&#8217;s regulations, too.&#8217;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.2em;\">He repeated Iran&#8217;s stance that it is not involved in making a nuclear weapon: &#8216;They should know that if we want to remove the hand of the U.S. from the world, we do not need bombs and hardware. We work based on thoughts, culture and logic.&#8217;<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senior Foreign Office figure: \u2018We\u2019re expecting something as early as Christmas, or very early in the new year\u2019 By Tim Shipman Last updated at 8:30 AM on 10th November 2011 &nbsp; Foreign Secretary William Hague, speaking yesterday in the House of Commons, London, warned the UN report into Iran&#8217;s nuclear ambitions could spark a regional [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[742],"class_list":["post-46593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-turkey","tag-diplomacy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46593"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46593\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}