While pledging cooperation with Washington, news reports have also come out saying that should Israel take action against Iran, they would not be seeking Washington's permission beforehand.
Gates and the U.S. military brass have voiced distaste for pre-emptive strikes on Iran, which says its uranium enrichment is for legitimate electricity production, not weapons. But their public comments have acknowledged that Israel could break rank.
"I do not doubt that Israel will do what it thinks it needs to do, regardless of whether the U.S. approves," said Mark Fitzpatrick, non-proliferation expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.
"Israel would seek forgiveness, not permission."
A retired Israeli general who advises the government on strategic issues suggested there was a tacit synchronicity in recent messages about Iran from Israel and the United States:
"The Israeli threat adds urgency to Obama's calls for diplomatic engagement, and should Israel take things into its hands, the Americans retain wriggle room, some deniability."
As it should be considering that if Iran obtains nuclear weapon capability, Israel is first on their list. The threats against Israel have been stated publicly by Iran's President, Ahmadinejad, and any Israeli understands that when a madman tells you he thinks you should be wiped off the map, you damn well better take those threats seriously.
Obama has a limited amount of time to get a handle on this situation because Israel will only wait so long and then all of it will be out of Obama's hands completely.
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