Should Israel Bomb Iran's Nuclear Reactor in Bushehr?

In an editorial, the Washington Times calls on Israel to bomb Iran's Bushehr reactor on Friday.

Bushehr Power Plant

"...It's doubtful America will take action. The State Department's response to the latest IAEA report on Iranian enrichment violations merely said, "We are hopeful that Iran will express a willingness to come to the table. We stand ready to have that dialogue." Not exactly the kind of rhetoric that instills fear of consequences.

Israel is the only country likely to mount a military strike, and the Bushehr site is an exposed facility that could be taken out with conventional weapons. It's located on Iran's west coast, less than a third of a mile from the shore; air forces would not have to spend much time overflying Iran to attack it. The plant also could be hit using sea-launched cruise missiles from Israeli submarines. With an effective range of at least 900 miles, the subs wouldn't have to transit the Strait of Hormuz to mount the attack.

The strike needn't happen before Friday. Mr. Bolton set that deadline because he was concerned that destroying an operational plant would create a radiation hazard, but a strike that left the site radioactive would hinder Iranian attempts to get it back up and running. Civilian casualties would be minimal because the site is located nine miles downwind of the city of Bushehr, and potential fallout would drift over either the Gulf close to Iran or the immediate area, which is arid and sparsely populated.

The most dangerous fallout could be political. Russia, Iran's nuclear sponsor, is likely to voice strong objections; the usual anti-Israel suspects will howl; and the United States may not be as sturdy a champion for Israel as it was in the past. But the time has come to demonstrate resolve in face of an imminent threat from Iran. The Free World depends on Israeli power..."

What do you think?  Should Israel drop the bomb on Iran?

تنسيق-الكليات-لعام سكس نيك كس

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