The United States recently refused to give Israel a military aid package that could have been used by the latter to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported.
The package included a large number of "bunker-buster" bombs, an advanced technological system and refueling planes. Israel was also denied an air corridor to Iran, Israeli security and diplomatic sources told Haaretz.
The U.S. supplied Israel with GBU-28 bombs (“bunker-busters”) in 2005 and again in 2006, at the height of the summer war between Israel and Hizbullah. Weighing 2.2 tons each, the bombs can penetrate six meters of reinforced concrete. Israel’s recent request to buy additional GBU-28 bombs was rejected.
The U.S. also denied Israel right of passage through Iraq’s air space, making it harder for Israel to attack Iran, if it decided to do so.
In his recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Israel would use all methods of action in order to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb.