Iran, Not Israel, Faces An Existential Threat, Says Top US Analyst

[Purveyor]

Anthony Cordesman claims all of Islamic Republic’s population centers now within range of Israeli missiles with thermonuclear warheads

By YOEL GOLDMAN April 26, 2013, 12:11 pm

Iran, not Israel, faces an existential threat, according to a top US analyst who is considered one of the world’s leading scholars on the Iranian nuclear issue.

--CLIP
Cordesman, a former national security aide to Senator John McCain, said Iran is likely within the range of Israeli missiles carrying thermonuclear warheads, which employ hydrogen fission and are far more powerful than standard atomic warheads. He attributed the information to “a variety of media and think tank reports.”

“Israel long ago extended the range of its nuclear-armed land-based missiles, probably now targets Iran with thermonuclear weapons, and is examining options for sea launched cruise missiles,” he wrote.

According to the CSIS report, entitled US-Iranian competition: The Gulf Military Balance II, “A mix of several air and ground bursts in an Israeli thermonuclear or high fission yield attack on five key cities – Tehran (capital) 7.19 million; Mashhad 2.592 million; Esfahan 1.704 million; Karaj 1.531 million; Tabriz 1.459 million – would probably destroy Iran as a nation in anything like its current form.”

According to Cordesman, Iran will not have the ability to threaten Israel with a long-range nuclear warhead for several years. Today, the Islamic Republic can attack Israel with small bombs from the sea, or with long-range non-nuclear missiles, he noted.

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http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-not-israel-faces-an-existential-threat/

[leveymg]

1. In that case, we should protect Iran and declare any first-use of nuclear weapons an attack on the

United States of America. Same for Israel.

That would stop anyone contemplating starting a war between the two dead in his tracks. That means both of you guys.

[Purveyor]

2. I'm looking toward Russia to guarantee Iran's security when/if things get any hotter. eom

[leveymg]

3. The calculation is, that's not much of a guarantee. Ask Assad.