Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Washington Times
September 12, 2008
Pg. 17
JERUSALEM -- The United States turned down an Israeli request for "bunker buster" bombs and mid-air refueling planes for fear they could be used to attack Iran, the Haaretz newspaper said.
The U.S. administration also refused to give permission for Israeli fighter jets to fly over Iraq - the quickest route to Iran, it said.
Israel, the region's sole if undeclared nuclear armed state, considers Iran its main strategic threat because of its own atomic program, which Israel and the U.S. suspect is aimed at developing weapons.
Iran has repeatedly denied the allegations, insisting it wants only to provide electricity for its growing population when its fossil fuels run out.
Military experts believe the GBU-28 "bunker busters" Israel had requested could be effective against Iran's underground uranium enrichment facility at Natanz in central Iran.
The GBU-28 is a 2.2-ton, laser-guided, conventional munition equipped with a powerful warhead that can burrow through more than 20 feet of concrete and up to 100 feet of hard ground.
While denying the requests for "bunker-buster" bombs and refueling planes, the U.S. administration has agreed to help reinforce Israel's defenses.
September 12, 2008
Pg. 17
JERUSALEM -- The United States turned down an Israeli request for "bunker buster" bombs and mid-air refueling planes for fear they could be used to attack Iran, the Haaretz newspaper said.
The U.S. administration also refused to give permission for Israeli fighter jets to fly over Iraq - the quickest route to Iran, it said.
Israel, the region's sole if undeclared nuclear armed state, considers Iran its main strategic threat because of its own atomic program, which Israel and the U.S. suspect is aimed at developing weapons.
Iran has repeatedly denied the allegations, insisting it wants only to provide electricity for its growing population when its fossil fuels run out.
Military experts believe the GBU-28 "bunker busters" Israel had requested could be effective against Iran's underground uranium enrichment facility at Natanz in central Iran.
The GBU-28 is a 2.2-ton, laser-guided, conventional munition equipped with a powerful warhead that can burrow through more than 20 feet of concrete and up to 100 feet of hard ground.
While denying the requests for "bunker-buster" bombs and refueling planes, the U.S. administration has agreed to help reinforce Israel's defenses.
