(Sunday, May 15, 2005)

Global strike has become one of the core missions for the Omaha-based Strategic Command, or Stratcom. Once, Stratcom oversaw only the nation‘s nuclear forces; now it has responsibility for overseeing a global strike plan with both conventional and nuclear options. President Bush spelled out the definition of „full-spectrum“ global strike in a January 2003 classified directive, describing it as „a capability to deliver rapid, extended range, precision kinetic (nuclear and conventional) and non-kinetic (elements of space and information operations) effects in support of theater and national objectives.“

This blurring of the nuclear/conventional line, wittingly or unwittingly, could heighten the risk that the nuclear option will be used. Exhibit A may be the Stratcom contingency plan for dealing with „imminent“ threats from countries such as North Korea or Iran, formally known as CONPLAN 8022-02.

(June 22, 2006)

Dokumentation in zeitlicher Reihenfolge:

“Washington Times”, 31.01.2003,
Bush genehmigt Einsatz von Atomwaffen
Im geheimen “National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD) 17” Dokument genehmigt die US-Regierung den präventiven Einsatz von Atomwaffen, explizit zum Ausschalten unterirdischer Anlagen oder falls Alliierte mit chemischen oder biologischen Waffen angegriffen würden, so die Washington Times.

(…)

Arbeiterfotografie, Frühjahr 2006
“Drohender Kriegsschauplatz Iran
Genug ist genug! – ‘Nur’ Verbrechen gegen die Menschheit oder schleichender Völkermord?
Eine Dokumentation von Ellen Rohlfs zur Situation in Palästina, 2005/2006”
http://www.arbeiterfotografie.com/galerie/kein-krieg/hintergrund/iran-0018.shtml
—
New Yorker, 08.04.2006 (Anm.: 17. April 2006 später vermerkter Erscheinungstermin), Seymour Hersh:
Laut Hersh plant die Bush-Administration und das Pentagon den Einsatz von atomaren B61-11 “bunker busters” gegen Iran´s unterirdischen Einrichtungen wie in Natans (Natanz). Anders seien Anlagen, die wie Natans unter 75 Fuß Erde und Gestein liege, nicht zu zerstören.
Kommentar eines Air-Force-Planers: “Es ist eine harte Entscheidung. Aber wir fällten sie in Japan.”

(OCTOBER 17, 2024)

Iran’s nuclear facilities and ballistic missile bases are deeply embedded underground, in contrast to less-protected targets like oil terminals.
(…)
Foreign sources indicate that Israel has a surface-to-surface missile system, equipped with both conventional and nuclear warheads, known as the Jericho missiles. Despite the hundreds of ballistic missiles Iran has launched towards Israel, the likelihood of Israel using these missiles in a strike appears low. These missiles were initially developed by the French Dassault company, later upgraded by IAI.
(…)
Additionally, Elbit has developed bunker-busting bombs, named 500 MPR, capable of penetrating up to four meters of concrete.
(…)
Another Israeli weapon, known only from foreign reports, is the PopEye Turbo cruise missile, developed by Rafael with a range of 1,500 km. It is designed for launch from Israeli Navy submarines and is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.