Report: Israelis prepare for Iran strike

JERUSALEM, June 22 (UPI) -- Continuing tension over Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program and concern about possible pre-emptive military action to stop it are ratcheting up again.

The Jerusalem Post, citing the Ma'ariv daily, said Friday the Israeli Air Force has been training for long-range flights to attack Iranian nuclear facilities if ordered to do so.

It said the training included mid-flight refueling of fighter aircraft, but additional details were not immediately available.

The report comes as a senior Iranian official says Iran now has 100 kilograms (about 220 pounds) of uranium materials ready for use in its centrifuges for enrichment.

About 500 kilograms (about 1,100 pounds) of uranium material, when highly enriched, would be enough for a nuclear weapon.

The international community has imposed economic sanctions on Iran over its refusal to adhere to non-proliferation mandates. Iran insists, however, that its program -- with some facilities built surreptitiously -- is only for civilian purposes.

Negotiations with Tehran by European powers and U.N. officials to resolve the issue have repeatedly foundered over Iran's refusal to give up its programs.

The United States and Israel have both said an Iran with nuclear weapons would not be tolerated, giving rise to fears of a pre-emptive airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities, similar to those conducted by Israel against Iraq in 1981.

The United States has stressed it intends to pursue the issue diplomatically, but has also said the military option has not been ruled out.