UPI, WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2012 — The United States and Israel are considering a surgical strike on Iran`s nuclear enrichment facilities ، Foreign Policy magazine says.
Based on a source reported to be close to discussions between the sides ، the report published Monday maintains the strike may only take ’a couple of hours’ involving a ’day or two ، ’ and would be conducted using ’primarily bombers and drone support.’
If such a strike is carried out it would set the Iranian nuclear program back many years ، the report said and would do so without civilian casualties.
Benefits of such a strike would be regional ، Foreign Policy says.
It quotes an unnamed advocate saying the outcome would be ’transformative’ — ’saving Iraq ، Syria ، Lebanon ، reanimating the peace process ، securing the (Persian) Gulf ، sending an unequivocal message to Russia and China ، and assuring American ascendancy in the region for a decade to come.’
Such a strike cannot be conducted by Israel alone and would require the involvement of the United States ، ’whether acting alone or in concert with Israel and others ، ’ the report says.
The report maintains that taking into account the progress made between Israel and the U.S. administration in recent weeks ، such a strike would be the easiest way for President Barack  Obama to defuse Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney`s critique on Iran.
’It`s not the size of the threatened attack but the likelihood that it will actually be made ، that makes a military threat a useful diplomatic tool. And perhaps a political one ، too ، ’ the report says.