The Sunday Times reports Israel is planning on striking Iran’s nuclear program using low-grade nuclear weapons or what are commonly called bunker busters. The plan, according to undisclosed sources, is to use regular laser-guided missiles to tunnel under the ground where Iran has built its nuclear program and use the bunker busters to destroy all that is within.

Israeli military commanders believe conventional strikes may no longer be enough to annihilate increasingly well-defended enrichment facilities. Several have been built beneath at least 70ft of concrete and rock. However, the nuclear-tipped bunker-busters would be used only if a conventional attack was ruled out and if the United States declined to intervene, senior sources said.

Israeli and American officials have met several times to consider military action. Military analysts said the disclosure of the plans could be intended to put pressure on Tehran to halt enrichment, cajole America into action or soften up world opinion in advance of an Israeli attack.

According to the Times, Israel has identified three prime targets.

• Natanz, where thousands of centrifuges are being installed for uranium enrichment
• A uranium conversion facility near Isfahan where, according to a statement by an Iranian vice-president last week, 250 tons of gas for the enrichment process have been stored in tunnels
• A heavy water reactor at Arak, which may in future produce enough plutonium for a bomb

The Times reports Israeli jets have flown to Gilbralter in preperation for the 2,000 mile distance betwen Israel and Iranian targets. Paths to attack Iran include going over Turkey, which raises an interesting question. Why would Israel not simply go over Iraq, knowing Iraq has no air force and the Coalition certainly wouldn’t do anything about it. There would be less fallout, I presume, within Coalition states than in Turkey if such an attack were to occur.

And thus we might have an answer:

Sources close to the Pentagon said the United States was highly unlikely to give approval for tactical nuclear weapons to be used. One source said Israel would have to seek approval “after the event”, as it did when it crippled Iraq’s nuclear reactor at Osirak with airstrikes in 1981.

Talk of striking Iran’s nuclear program has been a hot topic since Iran decided they didn’t wish to abide by the IAEA nor recognize the UNSC sanctions placed upon the nation.  Iran has been defiant with regard to their nuclear program since it was started, and they show no sign of letting up.

As far as the United States is concerned, it really doesn’t matter who attacks the Iranian nuclear program. Iranians could attack it and it would still be seen as some sort of American plot. The same is true with blame of Israel no matter what happened. If Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, it would be either an American or Zionist plot. It’s a damned if you do, damned if you don’t scenario. Or it is if you actually care about public opinion deciding on what you believe is right or wrong.