March, 14 2005	Monday	03 Safar 1426

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LONDON, March 13: Israel has drawn up plans for a combined air and ground attack on Iranian nuclear installations should diplomatic efforts fail to halt Tehran’s nuclear programme, a report in the Sunday Times said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s inner cabinet gave “initial authorisation” for an attack at a private meeting in February on his ranch in the Negev desert, the newspaper said.

“Israeli forces have used a mock-up of Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment plant in the desert to practise destroying it,” the Sunday Times said.

It added the operation would include raids by Israel’s elite Shaldag (Kingfisher) commando unit and airstrikes by F-15 jets from 69 Squadron, using bunker-busting bombs to penetrate underground facilities.—AFP