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We have all read and heard about the Iranian nuclear program and its possible capability to produce nuclear weapons; about the diplomatic, economic, and other ongoing efforts to get Iran to come clean on its nuclear weapons intentions; and about the threat such a capability would pose to Israel and to world peace.

We have also seen reports about the possibility of an Israeli preemptive strike against such Iranian nuclear facilities and capabilities.

This is how I started an article on the possibility of an Israeli “first strike” against Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons installations “way back” in March 2009.

A little farther into the article, in response to the question, “What is the time frame for such an attack?” I quoted a study by the reputable Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), released shortly before then.

The Israeli time frame as to when Iran will have a Nuclear Weapon is between 2009 and 2012, whereas the U.S. time frame is after 2013. Israel states that Iran should not be allowed to obtain any nuclear capabilities that could eventually allow it to produce nuclear weapons. Israel views Iran as an Existential Threat and must be dealt with in the immediate future.

Fast forward to August 2010. Not only has the speculation about such a strike intensified, but the time frame for such an attack has been compressed significantly.