Iran’s nuclear facilities ‘can be bombed’: US commander

[cosmicalstorm]

* Gen Petraeus says US military has already considered impact of ‘possible action’ against Tehran
* Says there is still time for UNSC members to engage Iran diplomatically

WASHINGTON: A top US military commander responsible for the Middle East and the Gulf region said the United States has developed contingency plans to deal with Iran’s nuclear facilities, insisting that they “can be bombed”.

“Well, they certainly can be bombed,” General David Petraeus, head of US Central Command, told CNN as he commented on suggestions that Iranian nuclear facilities were heavily fortified.

“The level of effect would vary with who it is that carries it out, what ordnance they have, and what capability they can bring to bear,” he added.

Considered: Petraeus did not elaborate on the plans, but he said the military had considered the impacts of any action taken there, CNN said.

“It would be almost literally irresponsible if Centcom had not been thinking about the various ‘what ifs’ and to make plans for a whole variety of different contingencies,” Petraeus said.

Iran maintains its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but the US and other Western nations fear Tehran wants to acquire nuclear weapons.

Israel has called Iran’s nuclear programme the major threat facing its nation. Petraeus declined to comment about Israel’s military capabilities, according to CNN.

Iran had until the end of last year to accept a deal offered by the five permanent United Nations Security Council members – Britain, China, France, Russia, United States and Germany.

It did not do so. Instead, Tehran gave the West until the end of January to accept its own proposal.

Diplomacy: The US Central Command head opined that there was still time for the UN Security Council members to engage Iran in diplomacy, adding that there is no deadline on the enactment of any US contingency plans, CNN reported. afp

What's the point of making a statement like this? Is Obama seriously considering an attack on Iran?
(I'm assuming a statement like this must have been green-lighted by him before being stated in public.)

[Sarevok]

The general is saying the US military has plans for any conflict with Iran. He is not saying the US military is going to attack Iran. The US has plans to attack everyone, even Canada. All major world powers have war plans just about any possible scenario so this is not unusual at all. Infact it would be irresponsible not to have any plans and be caught with pants down someday,

[Simon_Jester]

Yeah. The point of this statement is probably a simple "we are prepared." That's reassuring to Americans who are worried about Iran, a way to shut up Americans who want everyone to believe that Obama is not prepared, and a way to deliver comparable messages overseas as well.

It does not mean Obama is contemplating a preemptive attack in the sense that such an attack is likely.