Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad AP file photo
U.S. has plans in place for attack on Iran, official says
The plan to strike would be used to prevent the country from developing a nuclear weapon.
The United States has plans in place to strike Iran should U.S. leaders decide to use military force to prevent the country from developing a nuclear weapon, the Associated Press reports.
Dan Shapiro, Washington’s envoy to Israel, told the Israel Bar Association on Thursday that the U.S. prefers using economic sanctions and diplomacy. “But that doesn't mean that option is not fully available," he said of military intervention, according to AP. "Not just available, but it's ready. The necessary planning has been done to ensure that it's ready."
In March, a U.S. war simulation found that an Israeli attack on Iran would lead to a wider regional war, which could leave hundreds of Americans dead.
Iran, Germany and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are meeting in Baghdad on May 23 to discuss Iran's nuclear program. Iran has said that it will allow International Atomic Energy Agency officials to perform inspections.