US - Israel, Iran Ready

Ron Ross
Bridges for Peace News
Email: ronrossbfp@hotmail.com

November 4th 2009

The USA and Israel have been conducting extensive training drills under the name Juniper Cobra. Though this is a regular exercise this year it has been described as at an unprecedented scope and nobody doubts the message it has sent to Iran.

The joint military exercise is focused on ballistic missile defense (BMD) exercises integrating the latest US and Israeli systems.

More than any speeches and statements by diplomats, Juniper Cobra sends a clear signal to Tehran. The USA and Israel have effective insurance should Iran proceed with its stubborn nuclear plan.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel highlighted her impatience with Iran during a speech before the U.S. Congress this week (Nov 3).

Merkel said the P5 + 1 has a no-go line. She said a nuclear weapon in the hands of an Iranian president who denies the Holocaust and denies Israel’s right to exist is not acceptable. (Stratfor)

Israel military intelligence chief Maj. Gen Amos Yadlin this weekend said Iran’s nuclear facility near Qom has ‘no possible civilian use.’
He warned Iran is ‘competent in enrichment technology.’ He also said Israel wants to prevent any of Iran’s 3,000 centrifuges from being installed at the Qom facility.

While the aggressive nature of Juniper Cobra is downplayed, there is little doubt the US and Israeli forces involved are taking the procedure very seriously.

Iran has continued to stretch the nuclear talks and there attitude towards the USA in particular remains belligerent.

Israel can be expected to be alert in the face of the Iranian threats which now come with nuclear possibilities attached.

Late last month, Israeli Air Defence Corps commander Brig. Gen. Doron Gavish said, “In time of need, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will protect our country.” He indicated Israel’s defense capabilities will be enhanced by US co-operation.

Stratfor report Commander Carl Meuser, of the guided missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG-76) said, ‘We’re here for some very specific reason, some specific threats that the Israelis are interested in, that we’re interested in. And that’s as far as I want to go.”

US Army Col. Anthony English, a commander of the Juniper Cobra exercise said, We are going to learn a lot of lessons here that directly apply to what they want to do in EUCOM (U.S. European Command)." He added, "This is the most complete air- and missile-defense exercise that we have done."

Iran take note.