Israel sending signals of Iranian attack

An Israeli official said Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to persuade his Cabinet to authorize a military strike against Irans suspected nuclear weapons programme a discussion that comes as Israel successfully tests a missile believed capable of carrying a nuclear warhead to Iran.It remained unclear whether Israel was genuinely poised to strike or if it was saber-rattling to prod the international community into taking a tougher line on Iran. Israeli leaders have long hinted at a military option, but they always seemed mindful of the practical difficulties, the likelihood of a furious counterstrike and the risk of regional mayhem.The developments unfolded as the International Atomic Energy Agency is due to focus on the Iranian programme at a meeting later this month. The West wants to set a deadline for Iran to start cooperating with an agency probe of suspicions that Tehran is secretly experimenting with components of a weapons programme.Israeli leaders have said they favour a diplomatic solution, but recent days have seen a spate of Israeli media reports on a possible strike, accompanied by veiled threats from top politicians.In a speech to parliament this week, Netanyahu said a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a dire threat to the world and a grave, direct threat on us, too.His hawkish foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, was dismissive of the reports but added: We are keeping all the options on the table.The government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was discussing sensitive internal deliberations, told The Associated Press that the option is now being debated at the highest levels.The official confirmed a report Wednesday in the Haaretz daily that Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak both favour an attack, but do not yet have the support of a majority of Cabinet ministers. The official also said Israels top security chiefs, including the heads of the military and Mossad spy agency, oppose military action.It is generally understood that such a momentous decision would require a Cabinet decision. Israels 1981 destruction of Iraqs nuclear reactor was preceded by a Cabinet vote.Netanyahu spokesman Mark Regev refused to comment on the issue but did say there is a decision-making process which has stood the test of time. ... There have been precedents, and the process works.