Source: US, Israel Have Plan for Joint 'Surgical Strike' Against Iran

President Barack Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Monday, March, 5, 2012, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Source: US, Israel Have Plan for Joint 'Surgical Strike' Against Iran

Source says bombing, drone campaign would take "a couple of hours"

Obama has a military option plan against Iran -- a "joint U.S.-Israeli surgical strike," and he should communicate it to diffuse comments from Romney that he has not been tough enough on Iran and has not issued a "red line," according to a report published Monday in Foreign Policy.

David Rothkopf, CEO and editor at large of Foreign Policy and former Clinton administration official, writes that in light of Republican contender Mitt Romney's comments as well as doubts from Obama supporters about his willingness to take military action against Iran, the administration should communicate its planned military option that would be carried out by either a joint operation or the U.S. alone.

Quoting an unnamed source, Rothkopf says that the "surgical strike" would only take "a couple of hours" and would be carried out by an air campaign of bombers and drones.

Because this mission would be "more limited and doable," it will be more palatable to the American public, and its threat should be used as a "useful diplomatic tool," Rothkopf adds.

Join Us: News for people demanding a better world


Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place.

We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference.

Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today!

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.