OneJerusalem.com

“I am the Alpha, and the Omega”. So are written the provocative words in the Christian New Testament Book of Revelations; the book that alleges to foretell the final battle of Armageddon; the battle between the forces of Gog and Magog, and thus resulting in the end of the world. This topic, being the subject of many novels and doomsday thriller movies, may be closer than many people think; due to countries like Iran and North Korea aspiring to become nuclear powers. Iran, in particular, has come out in the forefront of this possible scenario by its overt actions during the past few years; particularly following the inauguration of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

A recent article appearing in the magazine section of Israel’s largest newspaper, Yidiot Ahronot, graphically illustrates the progress of Iran’s nuclear complexes, including both light and heavy water facilities, locations for manufacturing of Plutonium, nuclear reactors, and centrifuges manufacturing fissionable material. The sheer number of these sites, their difficult accessibility, and how they are defended, would make any planned attack on them, either by Israel or even a larger power such as the U.S., very difficult if not virtually impossible. The more ‘sensitive’ facilities, including the heavy water facility at Arack, and the centrifuges at Netnaz (photo), are completely encircled by clusters of the most sophisticated SAM missile batteries to prevent any air attack similar to Israel’s 1981 attack against the Osirik reactor site in southern Iraq.

In other words, even if such state-of-the-art weaponry such as B-2 ‘Stealth’ bombers are used, the Iranians are not about to be caught with their pants down. A recent statement by Iran’s defense minister warned that any attack against their nuclear facilities would warrant an immediate and devastating Iranian response “within seconds”. Even if Iran does not yet possess nuclear weapons, they have other weapons of mass destruction (WMD’s) available to them, including chemical and biological weapons. And even if only conventional weapons were used, salvos of Shihab-3 missiles, each armed with 400 kg payloads (including cluster bomb-lets) would wreak havoc on cities like Tel Aviv.

So, with all this in mind, what could Israel do in regards to staging an attack on Iran; and could this be remotely possible?

Obviously, there must be many strategic military secrets that we as ordinary people are not aware of; and these strategies are being considered presently. From a pure layman’s view, however, using long-range, modified F-16 fighter aircraft, even with larger bomb payloads and specially designed fuel tanks for flying longer ranges, just won’t fill the bill. Using ballistic missiles such as the Jericho won’t work either due to their possible inaccuracy (these attacks would require precision, surgical striking capability, and would invite even larger missile counter attacks, also by Syria and the Hezbollah in Lebanon, which can be very effective – as evidenced in last summer’s 34 day war.

The best strategy may be in trying to convince the Iranian public that their leadership are not taking their best interests at heart, especially in that their “esteemed President” may be willing to sacrifice a third of his country’s population to carry out his will.

Photo: www.cnn.com