Israel Will Attack Iran without Warning the US; Knows US Would Try to Discourage Attack on Iran

The Newser website reports today (February 28, 2012) that when Israel attacks Iran -- and it does plan to attack Iran within the next few months -- it will not warn the United States first, according to an American intelligence official.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have been quietly telling every American official who has recently visited Israel that the U.S. will not be told of an Israeli attack.

The U.S. is desperately -- but unsuccessfully -- trying to talk Israel out of such an attack, arguing it would only amount to little more than a temporary setback for Iran's nuclear ambitions.

On the other hand, Israel believes that such an attack will have a significant impact in destroying Iran's nuclear facilities. Israel is also convinced that if it gives the U.S. advanced warning of an attack on Iran, the U.S. will do everything it can to discourage it.

Some political analysts believe that the real reason that the U.S. is discouraging an attack on a nuclear-threatening Iran is because such an attack by Israel -- America's closest ally in the Middle East -- could result in a Mideast war and a loss of many votes for President Obama in his bid to be re-elected president this year.