RawStory: Obama reportedly told Democrats Israel will hit Iran if sanctions fail

[baghdad_bush]

Obama reportedly told Democrats Israel will hit Iran if sanctions fail
John Byrne
Published: Wednesday July 30, 2008

Obama won't rule out Iran strike

Presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) purportedly told House Democrats in a private meeting Tuesday that Israel may strike Iran if sanctions on the country fail to prevent development of nuclear technology.

According to an attendee who spoke to ABC News' Jake Tapper, Obama quipped, "Nobody said this to me directly but I get the feeling from my talks that if the sanctions don’t work Israel is going to strike Iran."

An Israeli air strike on Iran has long been floated among DC circles, with the idea that Israel will strike if the US fails to act. Many in Washington see the move as political suicide, since Israel's policies are linked by Arab states to the United States. Recently, Tapper notes, an Israeli military exercise employed 150 aircraft flying over the Mediterranean in "what was seen as a dress rehearsal for an air strike."

Israel bombed Iraq's Osirak light water nuclear reactor in 1981 to prevent then dictator Saddam Hussein from acquiring nuclear weapons.

"Now that the Bush administration is engaged in diplomatic efforts with Iran, many Israeli officials are worried the US is getting soft on Iran, prompting Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to travel to the US this week to meet with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley," Tapper adds."Obama's office released a statement saying 'a policy that consists of keeping all options on the table must be maintained.'"

Obama also apparently remarked that Arab states have come around to the notion that Iran's nuclear ambitions place their region's stability in danger, because an Israeli strike would escalate tension in neighboring countries.

The Obama campaign had no comment, according to ABC.

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Obama_reportedly_told_Democrats_Israel_w_0730.html

[democrattotheend]

1. That headline is misleading

It says he "won't rule out Iran strike" but the article makes clear that it would be Israel doing the striking. So how can Obama rule out anything? He can't rule out Israel taking action since he doesn't control Israel. Israel is an independent country that can act with or without his permission. Certainly, he would have some leverage as president to try to dissuade them from attacking, but he can't "rule out" any action they might take because it's not up to him!

[Selatius]

2. It appears a war with Iran is coming regardless if the US chooses it or not.

I have a hunch Obama is less willing to start a war with Iran than Bush is, and I bet the Israelis have the same hunch as well.

[InNeedOfUserName]

5. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert not run in the Kadima primary scheduled to take place in September.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331146843&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Soooo...who knows who will be incharge:wow:

[InNeedOfUserName]

3. ABC ..

Obama to House Dems: If Sanctions Fail, Israel Will Likely Strike Iran
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/obama-to-house.html

[babylonsister]

4. And the US is still not discouraging a strike on Iran-hard to

know what to believe. The story changes daily.


Strike on Iran still possible, U.S. tells Israel

Ehud Barak, the Israeli defense chief, is visiting as Washington is perceived to be softening its stance toward Tehran.

By Paul Richter and Julian E. Barnes, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
July 30, 2008


WASHINGTON -- Bush administration officials reassured Israel's defense minister this week that the United States has not abandoned all possibility of a military attack on Iran, despite widespread Israeli concern that Washington has begun softening its position toward Tehran.

In meetings Monday and Tuesday, administration officials told Defense Minister Ehud Barak that the option of attacking Iran over its nuclear program remains on the table, though U.S. officials are primarily seeking a diplomatic solution.

At the same time, U.S. officials acknowledged that there is a rare divergence in the U.S. and Israeli approaches, with Israelis emphasizing the possibility of a military response out of concern that Tehran may soon have the know-how for building a nuclear bomb.

"Is there a difference of emphasis? It certainly looks as though there is," said a senior American Defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity when discussing the sensitive talks.

more...

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-usisrael30-2008jul30,0,2949320.story

[Hoof Hearted]

6. I am so tired of war drums.