• Israel planned to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities in the spring of 2008, but the United States reportedly would not support the plan, anonymous sources said in September 2008. President George W. Bush told Israeli officials not to bomb Iran due to the risk of retaliation from Iran and the risk of the bombings leading to a war, according to the sources. Israeli officials have repeatedly said they believe Iran is closing in on the ability to develop nuclear bombs, but Iran says it is only developing nuclear plants for energy reasons.The Guardian: Israel asked US for green light to bomb nuclear sites in Iran (September 25, 2008)

  It was reported in January 2009 that Israel's request for aide to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities went directly to the White House because Israel did not trust the U.S. intelligence community. According to Fox News, President Bush revealed to Israel that he had a covert operation in place to sabotage Iran's nuclear capabilities.Fox News: Bush Protested Planned Israeli Strike (January 10, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert approached Bush during his visit to Israel for the nation's 60th anniversaryThe Guardian: Israel asked US for green light to bomb nuclear sites in Iran (September 25, 2008)
  2. Discussion reportedly took place May 14The Guardian: Israel asked US for green light to bomb nuclear sites in Iran (September 25, 2008)
  3. Sources who leaked the information work for the head of a European nationThe Guardian: Israel asked US for green light to bomb nuclear sites in Iran (September 25, 2008)
  4. If Israel bombs Iran without discussing it with the U.S first, the U.S. would notice the flights heading towards Iran before the strikeThe Guardian: Israel asked US for green light to bomb nuclear sites in Iran (September 25, 2008)
  5. The shortest route to Iran from Israel goes through IraqThe Guardian: Israel asked US for green light to bomb nuclear sites in Iran (September 25, 2008)
  6. Israel bombed Iraq's nuclear facilities in Osirak in 1981The Guardian: Israel asked US for green light to bomb nuclear sites in Iran (September 25, 2008)

• Background

  Israeli officials have said several times they are considering attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, which they believe are being used for the development of nuclear weapons. Iran says it has no intention of developing nuclear weapons. Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said publicly that Israel should be "wiped off the map."Haaretz: Ahmadinejad tells West - Accept Israel's 'imminent collapse' (January 30, 2008)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Iran Nuclear Crisis | Iran Nuclear Development | Israel | Iran | Mahmoud Ahmadinejad | Shimon Peres | Ehud Olmert | George W. Bush | Israeli Defense Forces | Nuclear Weapons

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