Israel, US strikes set back Iran nukes 2 yrs; Israel vows to block any rebuild effort

The CNN report that pre-empted the other reports on “Exclusive: Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, sources say” (I did a summary of this and other reports here earlier ICYMI: Classified report: Iran’s nuclear capabilities largely intact despite airstrikes) includes this instructive paragraph towards the end:

• The Israeli assessment of the impact of the US strikes also found less damage on Fordow than expected. However, Israeli officials believe the combination of US and Israeli military action on multiple nuclear sites set back the Iranian nuclear program by two years, assuming they are able to rebuild it unimpeded which Israel would not allow. But Israel had also stated publicly before the US military operation that Iran’s program had been set back by two years.

A rebuild that “Israel would not allow”. This’ll start up all over again soon enough. Unless there is regime change in Iran but apparently you’re not allowed to even hint at that.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.