Final act in war planning underway—US and Israel meet

Israel will defend itself against Iran with or without American approval or assistance. Israeli officials made it plain at least a year ago that if the international community failed to check the threat of a nuclear Iran (with the current regime intact) then Israel would act unilaterally if necessary within 18 months. Now this threat to close the straits of Hormuz. Iran seems to be begging the Americans to 'bring it.' But this will be a very difficult fight, whether it's about securing oil, or finding and destroying nuclear-weapons production facilities.

Bear in mind, if Iran fires at Israel and they fall short, they could strike Palestinians. If they fire long, they could hit Jordan.

Folks, It is really interesting reading all this speculation.

Understand one thing clearly from my perspective NO ONE not even the U.S. can ever use Israel as a pawn. They may use us as an excuse to go to war. We can't do anything about that.

From my perspective the only way Israel would ever actually act out a strike is if it CLEARLY had the intelligence suggesting a strike capability by Iran. 

The Iranians and for that matter all of the Arab and Muslim world could care less about what happens to the lives of the Palestinians living here.

Israel's economy presently is one of the best in the world. No one here especially this Government is interested in risking collapse. 

We are worried and concerned about Iran and as the public dialogue suggests the push for strong sanctions is the preferred number one priority for now.

IMHO the key intent behind Iran's posturing is to keep the number of disenfranchised/unemployed males through out the Islamic countries in a condition of anti-American/Western thinking where they can be coerced with little indoctrination to become terrorist. Iran is the largest State organizer/recruiter of terrorist. Iran is financially and materially involved in terrorism through out the Middle-East and Africa. Iran has made it's anti-American/ Western views speaking out in venues like the UN or during economic summits from places as far away as Venezuela. Iran holds itself as the last frontier against American hegemony, not only in the Middle-East but, around the world -where ever Iran can find a willing stooge.

I appreciate this thread and everything said. I'm a little behind the times lately, but it seems the issue of  potential war with Iran is not surfacing on any major news radar...

An interesting comment was made by the Iranian film-makers at the Golden Globe awards the other night. After giving a short speech one of the producers made it plain he had something very important to say. He then stated succinctly that 'the Iranian people are very loving people.' This was his final comment to the American viewers before leaving the stage. It seemed he knew or at least sense something wicked in the wind.

I agree with Tikun above that the best way would always be the way of peace. And yet I also believe that if the current regime can somehow be ousted - from within or without or both - then there are many millions of highly educated and passionate Persian people who would embrace democracy and the development of a stable secular state. In this way Iran, the biggest perceived threat to peace in the region and beyond, may also hold out the brightest hope for peace and stability.

I visited Iran many years ago and found the people to be traditional/secular in nature. Also, it has been reported recently that the youth love the U.S. and the West in general. 

This fanatical regime might just be crazy enough to get eliminated so that the Iranian people can start over once again and attempt to establish the kind of government they claim to want.