Israel takes aggressive stance on Iran before U.S. visit

Israel says it is ready to strike Iran without any support from the outside world, should it deem a strike necessary. The small but powerful state is concerned that Iran may be close to completing their quest to develop a nuclear weapon.

TEL AVIL, ISRAEL (Catholic Online) - Frustrated Israeli officials announced today that the country is capable of launching an independent strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, if ordered. Previously Israeli officials have requested promises of U.S. support, but without American enthusiasm for a strike, Israeli defense officials have worried that Iran may be allowed to develop their device undeterred by military threat.

So far, Iran has faced sanctions which experts say have slowed the country's nuclear ambitions, but not stopped them. Iran has placed its facilities into deep underground bunkers where it is questionable if even bunker-busting bombs can penetrate.

For its part, Iran denies they are building a nuclear bomb and claims the facility is to provide electricity.

The statement was made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an interview with the BBC. He said that Israel has "different capabilities" then the United States and that "We have to make our own calculations, when we lose the capacity to defend ourselves by ourselves."

This is a clear statement. Israel is prepared to act alone if Iran crosses any red line and the world does not back a strike.

While the United State is concerned that Iran could develop a nuclear weapon, Israel is even more so. Iranian officials have made numerous public statements threatening the Jewish state with annihilation. And while many of those statements may have just been political theater, Israeli officials don't have the luxury of dismissing them so lightly.

Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu, have repeatedly stressed the right of Israel to defend itself.

The statement by Netanyahu comes just days before U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel visits the country. Hagel will arrive on Sunday to discuss the Iranian issue with Israeli leaders on Sunday as well as a number of other concerns.

It is likely that Netanyahu and others will impress upon him Israel's readiness to strike Iran, with or without Obama's support, should sanctions continue to fail.

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