Thursday, September 23, 2004

US to sell Israel bunker-buster bombs

The US plans to sell Israel $139 million ($A200 million) worth of air-launched bombs, including 500 "bunker busters" able to penetrate Iran's underground nuclear facilities, Israeli security sources said yesterday.

The newspaper Haaretz quoted a Pentagon report as saying the procurement sought "to maintain Israel's qualitative advantage and advance US strategic and tactical interests". The US embassy in Israel had no comment, referring queries to Washington. Israel's Defence Ministry also declined to comment.

But an Israeli security source who confirmed the story said: "This is not the sort of ordnance needed for the Palestinian front. Bunker busters could serve Israel against Iran, or possibly Syria."

Haaretz quoted Israeli sources as saying the sale, including 4500 other guided munitions, was not expected to go through until after the US elections in November.

Earlier this month Haaretz said Israel sought to obtain the US-made, one-tonne "bunker- buster" bombs for a possible strike against arch-foe Iran's nuclear program, which Israel considers a strategic threat.

Tehran denies hostile designs, saying its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

AS: "bunker-buster bombs" for destroying Osama Bin Laden bunker in Afganistan - mastermind of global Jihad towards Zionist proxy. Iran just get prepared.

# ANTENNA SHARON | 6:12:00 pm |