The Iranians surprised the representatives of the six powers when
they presented their own alternative proposal, the diplomats said.
That proposal included, for the first time,
concessions regarding their stockpile of enriched uranium, as well as a
bid to cut the number of old-generation centrifuges by one third.
The Iranians proposed they keep 6,000 centrifuges
out of the 9,400 for the first 10 years of the agreement, and keep 500
kilograms of their low-enriched uranium, or, alternatively, to operate
6,500 centrifuges and only retain 300 kilograms of their low-enriched
uranium, the diplomats said. After 10 years, with only five years left
on the agreement, the Iranian proposal would gradually increase the
number of centrifuges to the number they have today, the diplomats
added.
But proponents of a deal should not be celebrating just yet.
However, among the unresolved issues is the Iranian demand that all
sanctions be lifted immediately upon signing the agreement, whereas the
United States and the other powers want the sanctions lifted gradually
if Iran is seen to be meeting its obligations.
Another stumbling block is Iran’s continuing
refusal of the world powers’ demand to fully open all aspects of its
military nuclear program to inspection by the International Atomic
Energy Commission.
The diplomats say that, considering the issues
still in dispute, it is difficult to imagine the parties coming to an
agreement by March 30. If such an agreement does emerge, because of an
Iranian and American need to show progress, it will be a general
document of principles only and will not include details on the
outstanding bones of contention.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard on Friday
announced it has test fired a "new strategic weapon" in the final day of
a large-scale naval and air defense drill, saying the system would play
a key role in any future battle against the United States.
The claim was a new show of force by Iran just weeks ahead of a
deadline for reaching a deal over its nuclear program with the U.S. and
other global powers.
Iran announced the test on the final day of military drills it is
calling "Great Prophet 9." The exercises are being held near the Strait
of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which about a fifth of the
world's oil passes.
Iran often holds live-fire war games and frequently boasts of
advances in its weaponry that cannot be independently verified. The
latest drill, which included a simulated attack on an American aircraft
carrier, appears to be aimed at sending a message that Iran has no
intention of backing down to the U.S. in the nuclear talks.
Adm. Ali Fadavi, the Republican Guard's naval chief, said the new
weapon would be critical in any future naval war against the U.S.
Of course, strategic weapons aren't part of the P 5+1 negotiations.
I want to go back and address Barak Ravid's last line:
“The challenge is for those who oppose the agreement like Netanyahu.
They must present an alternative that will produce better results,” a
senior U.S. official said over the weekend.
This is Friday's front page of Yedioth Aharonoth, Israel's largest paid daily newspaper:
Translation: "Israel: United States is causing us damage." (Thanks to Oren Kessler for posting. Saw this in a taxi this morning and have been looking to post it ever since).
Video: Israel Radio anchor slams US for disclosing Israeli strike on Syria
There's a lot of anger at the United States in Israel this morning, because the Obama administration has once again told the world that Israel is responsible for a strike on Syrian weapons being transferred to Hezbullah. This is Israel Radio's Aryeh Golan, the anchor of the drive time news hour. The tape is in Hebrew but there's an English translation.
Let's go to the videotape.
Barack Hussein Obama is Israel's enemy. There is no more pretense. That's the explanation for why his administration is doing this. If only the Israeli government (which pays Golan's salary) would admit it....
Israel conducted air raids against a Syrian missile base near the port
city of Latakia on Thursday night according to a leak by an anonymous US
administration official, speaking to CNN.
The US official said
that Israel targeted missiles and related equipment out of fear that
they would be transferred to Hezbollah.
It is unclear why the US would leak such information as it could put more pressure on Syria to retaliate against Israel.
It's unclear? It's awfully clear to me: Obama is our enemy!
The bombing targeted a shipment of surface-to-air missiles (SAM) that was headed for Hezbollah in Lebanon, the sources said.
The
Associated Press quoted U.S. officials confirming that Israel was
behind the attacks, which they said targeted Russian missiles, without
giving further details.
And you think Israel is going to give Obama advance notice before attacking Iran's nuclear weapons? Have you gone mad?
Reports: Israel attacked another weapons convoy headed for Hezbullah
Reports in Arab media, including in media affiliated with the Syrian rebels, claim that Israel attacked another weapons convoy headed for Hezbullah from Syria on Saturday.
Arab media outlets and
websites affiliated with Syrian opposition forces reported on Saturday
that Israeli fighter jets seen flying over Quneitra bombed a weapons
convoy intended to reach Hezbollah.
It was also reported by Lebanese news outlet
El-Nashra that Israeli jets bombed weapons warehouses at Syrian army
outposts in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon.
A Syrian rebel group's Facebook page claimed that the weapons convoy carried warheads for long-range missiles.
Israeli Brigadier General: 'We have technological solutions to Russia's S-300 system'
This ought to keep Iran and Syria - both of whom have or would like to get the Russian S-300 air defense system - up at night. Buried in the middle of an article on Israel's booming arm exports (okay, they also stuck it in a below the mast headline) in the JPost is this assessment of Israel's ability to respond to the S-300.
Brig.-Gen. Eitan
Eshel, head of research and development for the Defense Ministry’s
Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure
(known as “Mapat“), said the IDF had access to technological solutions – both
operational and under development – to the threat posed by the Russian S-300 air
defense system. Moscow has vowed to complete the sale of the system to Damascus,
which would threaten IAF activities in the region.
Of course, the real danger of Syria getting the S-300 is that they turn it over to Hezbullah - the chances of Syria using it against Israel right now are remote in the short term. But knowing that Israel has a response ought to make everyone think twice.
Israel and US successfully test David's sling (with video)
Israel and the United States have successfully tested David's sling, which is designed to shoot down medium range (70-300 km) missiles - what falls between Iron Dome and the Arrow series.
Let's go to the videotape and then I'll have more after the video:
The David’s Sling is a missile defense system currently under
development by Rafael in Israel and Raytheon in the US. The system would
defend against Iranian missiles such as the M600, the Zelzal, Fajr and
Fateh 110 deployed heavily in Hezbollah hands in Lebanon as well as
other missiles with a range between 70 and 300 kilometers. It is slated
to become operational in 2014.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak congratulated those involved in the test,
adding that David's Sling would form a significant layer in Israel's
multi-layered missile defense program.
"The major success of Iron
Dome batteries in Operation Pillar of Defense clarifies beyond all
doubt the huge importance of missile defense programs. The state of
Israel is a world leader in this field, thanks to its Israeli defense
industries and their people," Barak added.
Just as an aside, I want to remind you all that nearly 30 years ago, when Ronald Reagan proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars), Democrats howled that he was crazy. But I digress....
David’s Sling uses the Stunner interceptor, fitted into a launcher
that can hold 16 missiles. It works together with an advanced
phased-array radar made by Israel Aerospace Industries. The system can
also be formatted to defend Israel's skies against enemy aircraft.
David's
Sling will operate within Israel's multi-tiered missile defense system,
protecting the country from medium-range threats. The Iron Dome system
aims to intercept short-range missiles and rockets, while the country's
Arrow and eventually Arrow 3 seek to intercept long-range missiles and
ICBMs.
The anti-missile systems are great but for one small weakness: If you have to worry that you will need to use them, you can't really go about life normally in the first place.
Video: IDF's formerly top-secret Tamuz missile in action
On Monday, the IDF disclosed the existence of a guided missile called the Tamuz.
The missile has a range of 25 km. and can penetrate armored vehicles. It can come with a different anti-personnel warhead. The missile is launched from an armored personnel carrier from two launchers, each of which is capable of carrying three missiles. The APC can carry an additional four missiles inside.
The Tamuz uses an advanced electro-optic camera that transmits the image of its target back to operators inside the APC, who then manually drive it toward the target. Tamuz teams work closely with an artillery unit, which operates Hermes 450 reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles that provide the intelligence on the targets that are then attacked by the Tamuz missile.
“The missile provides us with the ability to accurately attack targets from a standoff position without needing to physically come into contact with the enemy,” explained Col. Sharon, commander of the Artillery Corps’ David’s Sling Formation.
The Tamuz was used extensively during the Second Lebanon War in 2006 when Meitar fired 600 missiles at Hezbollah targets. Nevertheless, the results were not satisfactory and a new operational doctrine was written for how to operate the missile in an urban terrain and against which targets. The missile was again used against Hamas targets during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip in January 2009 with greater success.
Until now, the missile was top-secret. Why has it been revealed now?
IDF sources said the decision to unveil the Tamuz came after long deliberations within the defense establishment. One of the reasons the missile was declassified was since the IDF has decided to upgrade Meitar’s capabilities with new weapons systems, and while it will still use the Tamuz, it will not buy more after the current arsenal is exhausted.
Heh.
Well, I did promise you video, didn't I? So let's go to the videotape.
The Times of London (which is hidden behind a paywall) reported on Friday that Syria has supplied Hezbullah with eight SCUD-D missiles. The SCUD-D has a range of 700 kilometers, is accurate to within tens of meters, and puts Israel, Jordan and large parts of Turkey within Hezbullah's range. This is said to be the first time that a terror organization has obtained a weapon that is classified as a strategic weapon. The report cites 'western intelligence officials.'
The Times also quoted an Israeli intelligence official who said Syria "was engaged in a serious arms build-up," adding that the weapons transfers started after the revolution began in Egypt.
The report comes after the French paper Le Figaro reported last month that a stash of Lebanese weapons destined for Hezbollah was hidden and distributed in densely-populated urban areas including the southern Syrian city of Homs and cities just outside Damascus.
In May, Western intelligence agencies expressed concern that Hezbollah might try to transfer the advanced weaponry it reportedly maintains on Syrian soil if it feels that Syrian President Bashar Assad’s reign is on the verge of ending.
I wonder what the next Goldstone Commission is going to have to say about all those weapons hidden among civilian populations. And you still wonder why there are civilian casualties on the other side?
I am an Orthodox Jew - some would even call me 'ultra-Orthodox.' Born in Boston, I was a corporate and securities attorney in New York City for seven years before making aliya to Israel in 1991 (I don't look it but I really am that old :-). I have been happily married to the same woman for thirty-five years, and we have eight children (bli ayin hara) ranging in age from 13 to 33 years and nine grandchildren. Four of our children are married! Before I started blogging I was a heavy contributor on a number of email lists and ran an email list called the Matzav from 2000-2004. You can contact me at: IsraelMatzav at gmail dot com
