That’s the way it played out last September. Plans were in place and Israel wanted to hit the Syrian site during the summer. The U.S. said no. Washington wanted more intelligence, proof that materials were arriving from North Korea. And then, when the administration was satisfied of the need and the urgency, Israel attacked.
Iran has said publicly that “the Zionists do not have the capacity to threaten the Islamic Republic.” But Iranian leaders know Israel’s potential and they are willing to walk the tight rope, to balance the odds. Iran wants to be in control and, right now at least, has the most to gain from this conflict. The Iranians are getting tremendous pan-Muslim support simply by standing up to the United States and baiting Israel.
Israel knows just how dangerous Iran is and how costly an air attack would be. If the time is right, if Israel does attack Iran, it will be because we have reached the point of no return.