[Obsidian]

U.S. officials concerned by Israel statements on Iran threat, possible strike

Israeli leaders on Thursday delivered one of the bluntest warnings to date of possible airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites, adding to the anxiety in Western capitals that a surprise attack by Israel could spark a broader military conflict in the Middle East.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak, speaking at a security forum attended by some of Israel’s top intelligence and military leaders, declared that time was running out for stopping Iran’s nuclear advance, as the country’s uranium facilities disappear into newly constructed mountain bunkers.

“Whoever says ‘later’ may find that later is too late,” Barak said. He switched from Hebrew to English for the last phrase: “later is too late.”

The language reflected a deepening rift between Israeli and U.S. officials over the urgency of stopping Iran’s nuclear program, which Western intelligence officials and nuclear experts say could soon put nuclear weapons within the reach of Iran’s rulers.

Although accepting the gravity of the Iranian threat, U.S. officials fear being blindsided by an Israeli strike that could have widespread economic and security implications and might only delay, not end, Iran’s nuclear pursuits.

In a series of private meetings with Israeli counterparts in recent weeks, Western officials have counseled patience, saying recent economic sanctions and a new European oil embargo are pummeling Iran’s economy and could soon force the country’s leaders to abandon the nuclear program. Yet Israelis are increasingly signaling that they may act unilaterally if there is no breakthrough in the coming months, according to current and former administration and intelligence officials.

“The Obama administration is concerned that Israel could attack Iranian nuclear facilities this year, having given Washington little or no warning,” said Cliff Kupchan, a former State Department official who specialized in Iran policy during the Clinton administration and recently returned from meetings with Israeli officials. He said Israel “has refused to assure Washington that prior notice would be provided.”

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is one of several administration officials to express concern publicly that Israel is positioning itself for a surprise attack. Last month, the administration dispatched the Joint Chiefs chairman, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, to the Israeli capital for high-level discussions about the possibility of a unilateral Israeli strike.

“Israel has indicated they’re considering this, and we have indicated our concerns,” Panetta told reporters Thursday after a NATO meeting in Brussels. Panetta declined to comment on published reports that he thinks the Israelis could carry out a strike this spring, possibly as early as April.

Although the Obama administration has not ruled out U.S. military action against Iran, White House officials are worried that a unilateral strike could shatter the broad international coalition assembled in the past three years to confront Iran over its nuclear program, which Iranian leaders have consistently said is for peaceful purposes.

Source: Washington Post


What do you think, is it possible that Israel strike Iran ? If this happens, how would this affect the markets?

[mohsinqureshii]

Originally Posted by Obsidian »

U.S. officials concerned by Israel statements on Iran threat, possible strike

Israeli leaders on Thursday delivered one of the bluntest warnings to date of possible airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites, adding to the anxiety in Western capitals that a surprise attack by Israel could spark a broader military conflict in the Middle East.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak, speaking at a security forum attended by some of Israel’s top intelligence and military leaders, declared that time was running out for stopping Iran’s nuclear advance, as the country’s uranium facilities disappear into newly constructed mountain bunkers.

“Whoever says ‘later’ may find that later is too late,” Barak said. He switched from Hebrew to English for the last phrase: “later is too late.”

The language reflected a deepening rift between Israeli and U.S. officials over the urgency of stopping Iran’s nuclear program, which Western intelligence officials and nuclear experts say could soon put nuclear weapons within the reach of Iran’s rulers.

Although accepting the gravity of the Iranian threat, U.S. officials fear being blindsided by an Israeli strike that could have widespread economic and security implications and might only delay, not end, Iran’s nuclear pursuits.

In a series of private meetings with Israeli counterparts in recent weeks, Western officials have counseled patience, saying recent economic sanctions and a new European oil embargo are pummeling Iran’s economy and could soon force the country’s leaders to abandon the nuclear program. Yet Israelis are increasingly signaling that they may act unilaterally if there is no breakthrough in the coming months, according to current and former administration and intelligence officials.

“The Obama administration is concerned that Israel could attack Iranian nuclear facilities this year, having given Washington little or no warning,” said Cliff Kupchan, a former State Department official who specialized in Iran policy during the Clinton administration and recently returned from meetings with Israeli officials. He said Israel “has refused to assure Washington that prior notice would be provided.”

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is one of several administration officials to express concern publicly that Israel is positioning itself for a surprise attack. Last month, the administration dispatched the Joint Chiefs chairman, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, to the Israeli capital for high-level discussions about the possibility of a unilateral Israeli strike.

“Israel has indicated they’re considering this, and we have indicated our concerns,” Panetta told reporters Thursday after a NATO meeting in Brussels. Panetta declined to comment on published reports that he thinks the Israelis could carry out a strike this spring, possibly as early as April.

Although the Obama administration has not ruled out U.S. military action against Iran, White House officials are worried that a unilateral strike could shatter the broad international coalition assembled in the past three years to confront Iran over its nuclear program, which Iranian leaders have consistently said is for peaceful purposes.

Source: Washington Post


What do you think, is it possible that Israel strike Iran ? If this happens, how would this affect the markets?

There will be no strike on Iran as it would be effect the Arab World and US it self - US cant afford Crude Oil at 200 $ a barrel and no other country can. So if Iran is attacked - Iran will block "Abzae Huzmat" The pipe line in Arabian see going to US which will effect all over the world. Its only a threatening statement by Leon Pennata to stop iran from making the Nuclear Weapons. In its recent Statement President of Iran Ahmade Nijad has said there will be good news's soon from the Nuclear side , and Iran seems not scared of Leon Pennata's statement.

The world will be effected a lot if Iran is being attacked as the crises in Arab World are already getting worst day by day and the Arab Rulers will never want an Attack on Iran because if Iran is being attacked it will hit US Marine in UAE and Qatar which Arab don't want to see.

[Obsidian]

Iranian tensions continue oil's rise

CRUDE futures shot higher as worries about Iran and gains in the euro, equities and other markets trumped data showing still-slumping US fuel demand.

Light, sweet crude oil for April delivery settled $US1.55 higher at $US107.83 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the highest price since Libya's civil war sent futures soaring early last year. Brent crude on the ICE futures exchange ended up US72c at $US123.62 a barrel.

Prices rose along with equities markets and the euro, which recently traded at $US1.3335, near the highest level against the US dollar since early December. Markets cheered data showing that the jobs picture in the US continues to improve, as the four-week average jobless claims fell to the lowest level since 2008.

The move in broader markets, coupled with the continued tensions over Iran, sent oil prices up for the sixth-straight session despite weaker data on the US oil market. The US Energy Information Administration said oil inventories rose by 1.6 million barrels last week, topping analysts' expectations calling for a 500,000-barrel increase.

The rise in stockpiles, coupled with a 1.5 percentage point increase in refiners' capacity utilisation, signalled that oil is available to meet current demand. But even as usage of fuel products remains "extremely weak," worries about Iran have kept traders from betting on a fall in prices, said Jaya Bajpai, managing director of Trajan Investment Management. "Iran remains a wildcard and the consequences are so extreme that no one wants to be caught short," Mr Bajpai said.

Traders worry that a stand-off between Iran and the West ahead of the EU's coming Iranian oil embargo could disrupt some of that country's 3.5 million barrels a day of production from hitting the market. Oil prices have surged over the past month, gaining 9.6 per cent since the beginning of February on improving economic data and growing tensions surrounding Iran.

Analysts are keeping close watch on oil-market data for any signals that high prices are cutting into demand or prompting refiners to increase their production of fuel products. Front-month March reformulated gasoline blendstock, or RBOB, settled US2.59c higher at $US3.1136 a gallon. March heating oil settled US2.25c, or 0.7 per cent, higher at $US3.2949 a gallon.

----
Would oil prices continue to be so high if we got rid of all the speculators?

[Tams]

Interesting that Iran is stationing some of its navy vessels in the med, at Syria.

I guess that's a shorter hitting distance to Israel.

[khamore1]

Originally Posted by mohsinqureshii »

There will be no strike on Iran as it would be effect the Arab World and US it self - US cant afford Crude Oil at 200 $ a barrel and no other country can. So if Iran is attacked - Iran will block "Abzae Huzmat" The pipe line in Arabian see going to US which will effect all over the world. Its only a threatening statement by Leon Pennata to stop iran from making the Nuclear Weapons. In its recent Statement President of Iran Ahmade Nijad has said there will be good news's soon from the Nuclear side , and Iran seems not scared of Leon Pennata's statement.

The world will be effected a lot if Iran is being attacked as the crises in Arab World are already getting worst day by day and the Arab Rulers will never want an Attack on Iran because if Iran is being attacked it will hit US Marine in UAE and Qatar which Arab don't want to see.

Yes it is possible if Israel will strike Iran, a barrel of oil will shoot up to $200 but only for the next 6 months

Iran with nuclear weapons…the price will shoot up to $500 forever...

[Obsidian]

a long but nice article:
Consequences of Iran-Israel War | Greg Hunter

[TheDude]

why does the west let israel have nukes, but not iran? thats the bottom line.

you cant say 'because Ahmadinejad is a nutter' because in my view, israel is also, if not more mad. remember that israel has more human rights violations in its name than iran. iran doesnt kill 2 year old children for being of the wrong religion as israel does.

ok iran still stones women to death, but the israeli state also purposefully murder women and children too.

perhaps we should nuke both iran and israel. then there really would be a glimpse of world peace.

[Tams]

Israel has no capability to attack Iran

'Israel has no capability to attack Iran' - YouTube

'Israel has no capability to attack Iran' - YouTube