Israel extends nuclear weapons capability

Israel extends nuclear weapons capability

By Dougles Frantz, Los Angeles Times
Published: October 11 2003 15:24 | Last Updated: October 11 2003 15:24


Israel has modified American-supplied cruise missiles to carry nuclear warheads on three of its submarines, giving the Middle East's only nuclear power the ability to launch atomic weapons from land, air and beneath the sea, according to senior Bush administration and Israeli officials.


The previously undisclosed capability of the submarines bolsters Israel's deterrence in the event that Iran - an avowed enemy - develops nuclear weapons in the coming years. At the same time, it complicates efforts by the United States and the United Nations to persuade Iran to abandon its suspected nuclear weapons program.

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The Americans said they were disclosing the information to caution Israel's enemies at a time of heightened tensions in the region and concern over whether Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program can be stopped through negotiations.

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Israel refuses to confirm or deny that it possesses nuclear weapons. Intelligence analysts and independent experts have long known that Israel has 100 to 200 sophisticated nuclear weapons.



more!!! :nuke:
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1059480514111

Even though this is a long and interesting article, it's a dupe.

Mods please lock O8)