US officials worried Israel will attack Iran before year's e

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US officials worried Israel will attack Iran before year's end'

Senior US defense officials are concerned that Israel may attack Iran's nuclear facilities before the end of the year, and that this may prompt a wave of Iranian retaliatory attacks against both Israeli and US targets, according to an ABC News report on Monday.

According to an unnamed Pentagon official quoted by the broadcaster, there is an "increasing likelihood" of such an attack as Iran approaches two "red lines" in Israel's view: The first is the point when Iran produces enough highly enriched uranium to develop a nuclear weapon - something that could happen in 2009 and perhaps even by the end of 2008, according to US and Israeli assessments.
"The red line," the official said, "is not when they get to that point, but before they get to that point. We are in the window of vulnerability."
The second red line is Iran's acquisition of the SA-20 air defense system from Russia. The system would make an Israeli strike much more difficult, and if an offensive is being planned, it is likely to take place before that time, according to ABC.
Again quoting a senior Pentagon official, ABC reported that the large-scale IAF exercise conducted in early June was "not a rehearsal, but basic, fundamental training" for an attack on Iran.
"The Israeli air force has already conducted the basic exercise necessary to tell their senior leadership, 'We have the fundamentals down,'" the official said. "Might they need some more training and rehearsals? Yes. But have they done the fundamentals? I think that is what we saw."
He added that additional such drills were to be expected as a possible operation nears.
The TV station's report added that Pentagon officials believe an Israeli attack could not destroy Iran's nuclear program, and would only do temporary damage.