An Israeli strike on Iran N-sites possible: Report

Nov 29, 2010 |

Washington

Tags:

Israeli strike

The US believes that Iran has clandestinely procured advanced missiles from North Korea capable of striking European cities and apprehends that Israel could hit Iranian nuclear sites without its support.

Citing leaked notes from a meeting chaired by US defence secretary, the New York Times reported that Robert Gates told former French defence minister Herve Morin that Israel could carry out a surprise raids on Iranian nuclear sites without its support, but these might not be successful.

Mr Gates, according to documents leaked by Internet whistleblower WikiLeaks, was responding to a query by Morin whether Israel had the capability to strike Iran without US assistance.

Mr Gates responded, "he didn't know if they would be successful, but that Israel could carry out the operations".

On the missiles, the New York Times citing a diplomatic cable said, "secret American intelligence assessments have concluded that Iran has obtained a cache of advanced missiles, based on Russian designs".

The missiles are based on improved Russian R-27 design made by North Korea and that Tehran was making efforts to master the technology in efforts to build new generation of missiles.

The US believes that the proliferation of missile technology between North Korea and Iran would increase and these countries were making these transfers through Chinese territories.

The website leaks also dealt with documents detailing Arab leaders urging a military strike on Iran.

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