U.S. rebuffs Israeli request for arms geared toward Iran strike

[azurnoir]

The American administration has rejected an Israeli request for military equipment and support that would improve Israel's ability to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.

The Americans viewed the request, which was transmitted (and rejected) at the highest level, as a sign that Israel is in the advanced stages of preparations to attack Iran. They therefore warned Israel against attacking, saying such a strike would undermine American interests. They also demanded that Israel give them prior notice if it nevertheless decided to strike Iran.

<snip>

In an attempt to compensate Israel for having rejected all its proposals, Washington then offered to bolster Israel's defenses against ballistic missiles. For instance, Gates proposed stationing an advanced radar system in Israel and linking Israel directly into America's early warning satellite network; he also offered increased American funding for the development of two Israeli missile defense systems - the Arrow-3, an upgrade of Israel's existing Arrow system for intercepting ballistic missiles, and Iron Dome, a system designed to intercept short-range rockets. In addition, Washington agreed to sell Israel nine Super Hercules long-range transport aircraft for $2 billion. However, it would not agree to supply Israel with any offensive systems.


http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1010938.html

[JeffR]

1. Sure. They only get billions from the US annually.

Apparently, they're now modeling the Bush mis-Administration's fiscal policy, as well as its foreign policy.

edit: spelling & clarity. Time for bed.

[azurnoir]

2. Actually in a way

the US stance on not selling or giving Israel offensive weapons for a strike against Iran, while allowing defensive weapons mirrors a similar policy adopted by Israel last year on weapons sales to South Ossetia.

[Sezu]

3. OMG, the tail fell off the dog. AIPAC has failed. The Lobby

is done!!!!

What will they do now? :sarcasm:

[azurnoir]

4. Maybe the dog was a schipperke

and Bush and Co. gave it a tail "extension", but at any rate or perhaps common sense has prevailed, for the moment anyway

[Scurrilous]

5. U.S. won't sell refueling jets to Israel, fearing strike on Iran

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"It emerged on Wednesday that the United States has refused to sell Jerusalem new refueling planes, fearing such a transaction could be interpreted as support for an Israeli attack on Iran.

Haaretz reported last week that the U.S. had rejected a request for military equipment that would improve Israel's ability to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. Jerusalem denied that report.

But new information released Wednesday revealed that the nature of the equipment refused would strengthen the Israel Air Force in one of its weakest areas. The IAF has in its possession only seven refueling planes, many of which are more than 40 years old. Israel had requested new Boeing 767 planes, necessary for refueling during long-distance operations.

The Americans rejected the request roughly three weeks ago during a visit to Washington by Defense Minister Ehud Barak."

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[azurnoir]

6. Whole lotta' tail puffin' and growlin' goin' on

The head of the Iranian air force said Sunday that Iran has increased the range of its warplanes, allowing them to fly as far as Israel and back without refueling.

Iranian state TV quoted air force chief General Ahmad Mighani as say

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1012432.html

lets hope they keep it that way

[martymar64]

7. Good

US needs to cut off all financial aid to israel. American $ for American needs, we need to quit throwing it down this particular money pit.

[Scurrilous]

8. U.S.: No to 'bunker-busters,' Iraq flyover rights for Israel

<snip>

"The security aid package the United States has refused to give Israel for the past few months out of concern that Israel would use it to attack nuclear facilities in Iran included a large number of "bunker-buster" bombs, permission to use an air corridor to Iran, an advanced technological system and refueling planes.

Officials from both countries have been discussing the Israeli requests over the past few months. Their rejection would make it very difficult for Israel to attack Iran, if such a decision is made.

About a month ago, Haaretz reported that the Bush administration had turned down an Israeli request for certain security items that could upgrade Israel's capability to attack Iran. The U.S. administration reportedly saw the request as a sign preparations were moving ahead for an Israeli attack on Iran.

Diplomatic and security sources indicated to Haaretz that the list of components Israel included:

Bunker-buster GBU-28 bombs: In 2005, the U.S. said it was supplying these bombs to Israel. In August 2006, The New York Times reported that the U.S. had expedited the dispatch of additional bombs at the height of the Second Lebanon War. The bombs, which weigh 2.2 tons each, can penetrate six meters of reinforced concrete. Israel appears to have asked for a relatively large number of additional bunker-busters, and was turned down.

Air-space authorization: An attack on Iran would apparently require passage through Iraqi air space. For this to occur, an air corridor would be needed that Israeli fighter jets could cross without being targeted by American planes or anti-aircraft missiles. The Americans also turned down this request. According to one account, to avoid the issue, the Americans told the Israelis to ask Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for permission, along the lines of "If you want, coordinate with him."

Refueling planes. An air attack on Iran would require refueling of fighter jets on the way back. According to a report on Channel 10 a few weeks ago, the U.S. rejected an Israeli request for more advanced refueling tankers, of the Boeing 767 model.

The refueling craft the Israel Air Force now uses are very outmoded, something that make it difficult to operate at long distances from Israel. Even if the Americans were to respond favorably to such a request, the process could take a few years.

The IDF recently reported that it is overhauling a Boeing 707 that previously served as the prime minister's plane to serve as a refueling aircraft.

Advanced technological systems. The Israeli sources declined to give any details on this point."

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