Battle Stations

With forces lacking the capabilities to carry out the kind of massive strike the U.S. could launch, Israel has to carefully consider its options. Iran's potential targets are located on the far margin of the ranges Israeli fighters can reach, even with aerial refueling. A possible Israeli attack would likely focus on only three of Iran's most visible facilities: its centrifuge facilities at Natanz, its light water nuclear power reactor near Bushehr, and a heavy water reactor at Arak.

Key Facilities
100 miles 100 km

T U R K E Y

C a s pi a n S ea

50

Tehran

150

SYRIA LEBANON
Me d i te r ra ne a n Sea

M
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M 0K

an
ge
of

Qom: Secret uranium-enrichment facility just disclosed by Iran.

( ra n

Jer

Jericho ge of

Arak
Natanz: Deep underground chambers hold thousands of centrifuges for enriching uranium.

icho
I missile)

Baghdad

IRAQ

Arak: When this heavy-water reactor becomes operational, it could produce plutonium for weapons.

II)

I R A N
Jerusalem

ISRAEL
JORDAN KUWAIT
P ers i a n Gulf

Bushehr: This nearly complete light-water reactor could be used to produce plutonium.

Israel could use the GBU-28, a laser-guided bomb with an earthpenetrating warhead. Some facilities could withstand its force.

SAUDI ARABIA

Choosing a Route
Northern: The squadron could face the least resistance by hugging Syrias border. Central: Violating Jordanian airspace could jeapardize a peace agreement. Southern: The U.S. would oppose an Israeli squadron flying over Saudi airspace.
Source: Center for Strategic and International Studies

Air Strike
With F-15 and F-16 aircraft, Israel could strike far-away targets and penetrate some underground facilities with bunker buster munitions. The squadron would have radar-jamming capabilities and could refuel in the air with tanker craft.

Missile Strike
Israels medium-range Jericho II missile could reach only a sliver of Iran. Some military analysts report Israel is developing a long-range Jericho III missile that could reach targets throughout Iran.

An Israeli F-16

Graphic by Renee Rigdon and Seth Hamblin