That's the headline in Haaretz. The text of the article is just a bit more complicated:

U.S. President George W. Bush and President Jacques Chirac of France met several weeks ago. Bush told his French counterpart that the possibility that Israel would carry out a strike against Iran's nuclear installations should not be ruled out.

Bush also said that if such an attack were to take place, he would understand it. According to European diplomats who later met with Rice, the secretary of state did not express the same willingness to show understanding for a possible Israeli strike against Iran.

Nonetheless, Rice did not discount the possibility that such an operation may take place.

In recent talks with their Israeli counterparts, French government officials estimated that Iran would reach the "point of no return" in its nuclear program by spring 2007, in approximately five months.

Make no mistake that a war of nerves is being played. It may or may not be followed by an actual war. If anyone is bluffing, the consequences may be worse than any poker match loss.

Hat tip: Ed Lasky

Thomas Lifson   11 20 06