Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The Congressional Research Service has issued a report that called on the House and
Senate to draft contingencies based on the ramifications of an Israeli military campaign to
destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Titled “Israel: Possible Military Strike Against Iran’s Nuclear Facilities,” CRS, which briefs Congress on a range of
issues, said an Israeli attack on Iran could change the Middle East and
affect U.S. interests.

“For Congress, the potential impact — short- and long-term — of an Israeli decision regarding Iran and its implementation is a critical issue of concern,” the report, dated March 27, said. “By all accounts, such an attack could have considerable regional and global security, political, and economic repercussions, not least for the United States, Israel, and their bilateral relationship.”

[On March 29, the Haaretz daily reported that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has shelved plans for an attack on Iran until at least 2013. The newspaper, in a report by defense correspondent Amir Oren, said Barak was deterred by a recent U.S. military simulation that warned that 200 American
soldiers based in the Gulf could be killed in a single Iranian missile strike.]

Israel receives about $3 billion in annual U.S. military aid. Congress
as well as the administration of President Barack Obama have been examining
increasing missile defense assistance to the Jewish state amid threats from
Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip.

CRS also urged Congress to consider whether an Israeli strike on Iran
would be deemed self-defense and whether the military operation would
affect U.S. sanctions law. Congress must also examine whether to consult
with Obama on “various political and military options,” the report said.

The report does not make any determinations, but quoted analysts that
spoke of deep Israeli concern that Obama would not act against a nuclear
Iran. CRS said Obama was reported to have refused to guarantee that the
United States would use force if Teheran achieves nuclear weapons.

“Obama’s refusal to provide that assurance has helped shape Israel’s
posture,” CRS, which did not confirm Obama’s views, said.

CRS interviewed an administration official on the effectiveness of any
attack on Iran. The Feb. 13 interview quoted the unidentified official as
saying that Iran could restore its nuclear weapons program should Israel
fail to destroy Teheran’s capability to enrich uranium. Another factor was
whether Iran could retain facilities for the development of missiles and
warheads.

“An attack that left Iran’s conversion and centrifuge production
facilities intact would considerably reduce the timeline for
reconstitution,” the report, quoting the administration official, said.

“This timeline would possibly also be affected by variables such as the
number of centrifuges and quantity of LEU [low-enriched uranium] and 20
percent-enriched uranium remaining usable after an attack.”

  Barack Obama, Congress report urges contingency planning for Iran strike by Israel, Congressional Research Service, Ehud Barak, Gaza Strip, Teheran unranium enrichment, U.S. sanctions on Iran