Talk About Iran Attack Seems Very Overheated

Talk About Iran Attack Seems Very Overheated An article in The Atlantic reports that Iran may be nearing the "point of no return" in its pursuit of an atomic bomb. Therefore, says author Jeffrey Goldberg, there is a "better than 50 percent chance" Israel will launch an attack against red Iranian nuclear sites by "next July."

The Times of London suggests that some key arrangements for such an attack are already in place. According to the paper, Saudi Arabia has already told the Israelis they can overfly Saudi airspace in any assault against Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Moreover, The Times quotes a "U.S. defense source" saying that Saudi overflight permission has been endorsed by the U.S. State Department.

But U.S. and European national-security and counterproliferation officials tell Declassified that speculation about a possible Israeli attack on Iran—and alleged signals from Washington offering direct or indirect support for such an operation—are premature and exaggerated, if not untrue. Two U.S. officials, who asked for anonymity when discussing sensitive information, said suggestions that the Obama administration has endorsed alleged Saudi plans to allow Israeli attackers to overfly Saudi territory are false.

A European official described recent reports about these and other alleged preparations for an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities as "rumors" similar to other speculation that has surfaced, then died, then resurfaced on red several occasions over recent years.