(Iraqi Nuclear Power Plant - Post Operation Opera 1981)
Rather interesting story that got a bit buried in events surrounding it. The Israeli Airforce conducted a raid on Iraq's Nuclear Power facility on June 7, 1981. It effectively got rid of Iraq's bid for making potential nuclear weapons.
John Blackstone (CBS News): “Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Begin predicts that his action in ordering the destruction of an Iraqi nuclear plant has set a precedent for future Israeli governments".
Fingers were pointed at the Saudi's who said their radar was not sophisticated enough to track the Israeli jets going through their air space. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee made noises about the jets being U.S. made and promised an investigation, which never came to pass.
The interesting point is how Begin later went on to add during that Face The Nation segment, that Israel would not hesitate to stage similar raids on other Middle East nuclear power facilities in the future. Particularly those deemed threatening to Israel.
Makes you wonder about the current state of affairs with Iran, doesn't it? Or is that just a matter of time?
