Israel

Israeli leaders have made a strategic decision not to allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, according to the Hebrew daily Ma’ariv, and preparations for an IAF long-range strike on Iran have shifted into high gear in case Western diplomacy fails to halt Tehran’s atomic quest. So far, Israel has not received American authorization to use US-controlled Iraqi airspace, nor has the defense establishment been successful in securing the purchase of advanced US-made warplanes which could facilitate an Israeli strike. The Americans have also offered Israel permission to use a global early warning radar system, implying that the US is pushing Israel to settle for defensive measures only. However, an internal government discussion concluded Israel has no strategic depth, and the country cannot take a 'wait and see' approach and only retaliate in case of attack; rather Israel has little choice – absent US-led military action – to use preemption to prevent an Iranian first strike.