Israel unlikely to attack Iran in short term despite mounting Mideast tensions

By Xu Gang

JERUSALEM, July 17 (Chinese media) -- In the wake of Iran's recent missile tests, Israel has responded with harsh words, saying it will not hesitate to resort to military action when its vital interests are threatened.

Despite the mounting tensions in the Middle East, a

MOUNTING TENSIONS IN MIDDLE EAST

Commander of Iran's Army Air Force, Amir Pilot Ahmad Mighani, announced on Tuesday that Iran's army will hold large scale maneuvers soon in a bid to present the defense and battle power of its Air Force to practice protective mechanisms.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have just completed military exercises in the Persian Gulf, dubbed Payambar-e Azam 3 (Great Prophet 3), to improve combat readiness and capability, during which Iran successfully test-fired new long-and medium-range missiles, including a Shahab 3, which can hit any target within a range of 2,000 km.

Just after Iran's missile tests, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Israel will not hesitate to resort to military action when its main interests are under threat.

Terming Iran's action "a challenge not only for Israel but for the entire world," Barak said "Israel is the strongest country in the region, and it has proven in the past that it is not afraid to act when its vital interests are threatened."

Speculation about a military confrontation between Israel and Iran has mounted since a big Israeli air drill last month.

The New York Times reported the U.S. military believed the major military exercise by Israel in early June was a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Some U.S. officials said the Israeli drill appeared to be an effort to develop the military's capacity to carry out long-range strikes and to demonstrate the seriousness with which Israel views Iran's nuclear program.

POLICY COORDINATION BETWEEN ISRAEL, U.S.

Barak, who was originally scheduled to pay a three-day visit to the United States beginning Monday but later postponed it, is expected to visit the country in the near future for talks with top U.S. officials over Iran.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of General Staff Gabi Ashkenazi is also expected to head to Washington soon for his own round of talks with American defense chiefs, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen.

Before Barak's and Ashkenazi's visits, Mossad chief Meir Dagan had held talks with key intelligence officials in Washington.

A senior Israeli government official said the Dagan, Barak and Ashkenazi tours to Washington were part of the "routine, close consultations" held between Israel and the United States.

However, analysts believe these visits will be part of a series of consultations apparently aimed at coordinating policies against the Iranian nuclear threat.

Sources say Israel is urgently trying to convince the United States that Iran is closer to passing the nuclear threshold than Washington believes.

The United States and its allies have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Tehran has denied the allegation and insisted its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.