November 22-2013
. . . now retired
An Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear installations would halt Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons “for a very long time,” says Yaakov Amidror who stepped down as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s national security adviser last week.
In an interview with Britain’s Financial Times, Amidror said Netanyahu “is ready” to order an attack but “the situation will be the determining factor for any prime minister. The situation will dictate actions.”
He said the Israeli air force has conducted “very long-range flights … all around the world” as part of preparations in recent years for a possible military confrontation with Iran. “From here to Iran, it is 2,000 kilometers, and you have to be familiar with such destinations,” Amidror said.
He added: “We are not the United States of America, of course, and, believe it or not, they have more capabilities than us. But we have enough to stop the Iranians for a very long time.”
A number of analysts have said Israel does not have sufficient aerial refueling tankers to refuel its jets so they can get back to Israel after an attack—and even if it did get those tankers, they would have to hover over Arab countries to conduct the refueling—meaning Israel would have to have Arab approval to conduct a raid on Iran successfully.
The former national security adviser, who was until recently Netanyahu’s top aide on security matters, was asked if Israel has the capability to hit Iran’s subterranean nuclear sites. “Including everything,” he answered. “We are not bluffing. We are very serious—preparing ourselves for the possibility that Israel will have to defend itself by itself.”
Amidror addressed the possibility an Israeli strike would trigger a response by Hezbollah, such as the firing of thousands of small missiles toward Israel. In that case, Amidror said, Israel would have to launch a ground assault into Lebanon and enter urban areas to stop the fire.
