'Read the script': Israel to 'take military steps' if diplomacy with Iran fails
Monday, June 23, 2008 Free Headline Alerts
TEL AVIV — Israel has been conducting long-range air combat exercises in the Mediterranean Sea.
Israeli military sources said the exercises took place in Greece and Turkey in 2008. The sources said the exercises were among the largest by the Israel Air Force in years.
"This was a dress rehearsal, and the Iranians should read the script before they continue with their program for nuclear weapons," a senior Israeli official told the London-based Times newspaper.
"If diplomacy does not yield results, Israel will take military steps to halt Teheran's production of bomb-grade uranium."
In June, the air force deployed scores of F-15 and F-16 fighters in a week-long exercise over the eastern Mediterranean. The exercise also included search and rescue and refueling operations with Greece. On June 20, Greece said the exercise with Israel took place off the island of Crete.
"But neither the existence of Israeli contingency plans nor the June military exercises means that an attack is imminent," the U.S.-based intelligence consultant, Stratfor, said.
U.S. officials said the June exercise contained more than 100 Israeli combat aircraft as well as helicopters and refueling aircraft. They said the exercise was meant to enhance deep strike capabilities that could be used against Iran.
"They wanted us to know, they wanted the Europeans to know, and they wanted the Iranians to know," a U.S. Defense Department official told the New York Times on June 20. "There's a lot of signaling going on at different levels."
Israel and the United States have been discussing Iran's nuclear weapons program and the military option. On Saturday, U.S. Navy chief of naval operations Adm. Gary Roughead began a four-day visit to Israel and was scheduled to tour Israel Navy bases as well as the Saar-5 missile corvette and the Dolphin-class submarine. The Dolphin was expected to be used in any sea-based Israeli strike on Iran.
The Israeli military sources said the air force accelerated long-range combat exercises over the last year. They said the exercises have taken place around such countries as Greece, Italy and Turkey, with large areas for combat training.
"The air force regularly trains for various missions to confront and meet the challenges posed by the threats facing Israel," an Israeli military statement said.