A statement by US Vice President Joe Biden to the ABC’s “This Week” programme on July 6th appeared to offer American backing in the event Israel should launch a strike against Iranian nuclear facilities. Biden, when asked whether the US would be prepared to use their control over Iraqi airspace to prevent such a strike, replied that it would not be possible for them to dictate to another sovereign country. Biden also remarked that the US would not bow to any interests other than its own in reaching a decision on the issue.
Biden’s statement follows a Sunday Times report which suggested that Arab governments whose airspace lay in the path of a potential Israeli strike may tacitly allow it to take place.
It is difficult to determine whether this claim has any substance. Although Israeli defence sources were quoted as claiming that Mossad had “working relations” with their Saudi counterparts over the issue, both Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office and the Saudi government have issued strong denials. The Iraqi government has gone further; the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Defence stating that any Israeli breach of Iraqi airspace would be treated as an attack. What any of these countries could achieve in practice should they attempt to obstruct a strike is uncertain – An Israeli strike against a suspected Syrian nuclear facility last year suffered no casualties despite supposedly strong Syrian air defences.
1 comment:
Little chance they'll attack though - Iran has a clear run if they want to go nuclear
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