Israel Bomb Iran Request

Israel planned to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities in the Spring of 2008, but the United States said it would not support the plan, anonymous sources said in September 2008. George W. Bush told Israel officials not to bomb Iran due to the risk of retaliation from Iran and the risk of the bombings leading into a war, according to the sources. Israel officials have repeatedly said they believe Iran is on its way to develop nuclear bombs, but Iran says they are only developing nuclear plants for energy reasons.¹

Fast Facts

Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert approached Bush on his visit to Israel for the nation's 60th anniversary¹

Discussion reportedly took place May 14¹

Sources who leaked the information work for the head of a European nation¹

If Israel bombs Iran without discussing it with the U.S first, U.S. would notice the flights heading towards Iran before the strike¹

The shortest way to Iran from Israel goes through Iraq¹

Israel bombed Iraq's nuclear facilities in Osirak in 1981¹

Background

Israel officials have several times said they are considering attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, which they believe are used for the development of nuclear weapons. Iran is saying it has no intention to develop nuclear weapons. Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Israel should be "wiped of the map"²