Israeli jets 'practise Iran atom plant raid'

Israel carried out a large military exercise this month that appeared to be a rehearsal for a possible bombing raid on Iran's nuclear facilities, it emerged today.

More than 100 F-16 and F-15 war jets took part in the manoeuvres over the eastern Mediterranean earlier this month, unidentified U. S. officials are said to have told the New York Times.

It claimed the aircraft flew more than 900 miles, roughly the distance from Israel to Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, and that the exercise included refueling tankers and helicopters capable of rescuing downed pilots. More.