Report: Information on modifications to weapons disclosed by officials as warning to state's enemies
Posted: October 12, 2003
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
Senior Bush administration and Israeli officials say Israel has modified American-made cruise missiles to make possible the launch of nuclear warheads from submarines.
The Middle East's only nuclear power now has the ability to launch atomic weapons from land, air and beneath the sea.
According to the Los Angeles Times, officials disclosed the information as a caution to Israel's enemies amid heightened tensions in the region and concern over Iran's atomic program.
U.S. officials say Israel modified nuclear warheads to fit the widely used Harpoon cruise missile. They would be carried on three diesel-powered submarines delivered to Israel by a German builder in the late 1990s, according to Reuters.
The State Department and Pentagon declined to comment on the report, as did an Israeli military spokesman, in keeping with the nation's policy of refusing to say whether or not it has nuclear weapons.
An Israel Navy website said the submarines carry Harpoon missiles but does not give details on the warheads.
The Harpoon is in the arsenal of 28 nations and has been deployed by the U.S. Navy since 1977. Various researchers say the missiles can carry a 488-pound warhead and are capable of submarine launch with a range of 70 miles or more, reports the news agency.
Israel will not confirm nor deny it possesses nuclear arms. Intelligence analysts and independent experts have long known the country has 100 to 200 sophisticated nuclear weapons, reports the Times.
Since 1969, Washington has accepted Israel's status as a nuclear power and not pressured it to sign the nonproliferation treaty. Israel and its U.S. backers regard its nuclear-weapons program as a centerpiece of the country's security.
''We tolerate nuclear weapons in Israel for the same reason we tolerate them in Britain and France,'' a senior administration official told the paper. ''We don't regard Israel as a threat.''
The previously undisclosed submarine capability bolsters Israel's deterrence in the event that Iran — an avowed enemy — develops nuclear weapons.
The Bush administration is determined to stop Iran from developing nukes. At the same time, Tehran is resisting more intrusive nuclear inspections by the U.N and claims its nuke program is for the sole purpose of generating electricity. The IAEA has given Tehran an Oct. 31 deadline to comply with the demands of inspectors.
Late last month, Egypt joined Saudi Arabia and Syria at the U.N. General
Assembly in criticizing the U.S. and U.N. for ignoring Israel's weapons of mass
destruction while pressuring Iran, reports the
Times.
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