Israel's New Drone Capable of Attacking Iran

JERUSALEM (Feb. 22) -- The Israeli military has unveiled a fleet of drones that can stay in the air for almost a full day and can reach Iran. Israel's announcement came as Iran said it has earmarked close to 20 sites for nuclear enrichment plants and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for an immediate boycott of Iranian oil.

The huge Heron TP drones have a wingspan of 86 feet, nearly as long as a Boeing 737 passenger jet. The plane is Israel's largest unmanned aircraft.

"With the inauguration of the Heron TP, we are realizing the Air Force's dream," Brig. Gen. Amikam Norkin, the commander of the base that will operate the drones, said on Israel Radio. "The Heron TP is a technological and operational breakthrough."

Military sources said the Heron TP has been in development for about a decade, but was first used during Israel's offensive in Gaza against Hamas just over a year ago. They said the drones played an important role during the fighting in Gaza's narrow alleyways by spotting fighters or roadside bombs.

It is unclear whether the new drone is meant for use in a potential Israeli attack on Iran.

"I don't think this is one of the parameters that would change the decision to attack Iran," military analyst Reuven Pedatzur said in an interview with AOL News. "If Israel does decide to attack, it will be by manned aircraft in which you can see and you have control of the mission."

Nevertheless, said Pedatzur, the drone could be used to provide surveillance and jam enemy communications. Drones can also carry missiles, he added.

The Heron TP is just the latest drone technology, which Israel has exported to other armies. Some Israeli-made drones are being used in Iraq and Afghanistan. But drones can be shot down by anti-aircraft weapons more easily than manned aircraft, which are better at taking evasive action if detected.

The new drones come amid increasing Israeli concern over Iran's nuclear program. Although Iran insists the program is for peaceful purposes, Israel is worried that a nuclear Iran could destabilize the entire region.

Netanyahu today called for an immediate embargo on Iranian oil, saying the United Nations Security Council should be ignored if it cannot agree on imposing it. Speaking to Jewish leaders meeting in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said that if the world "is serious about stopping Iran, then what it needs to do is not watered-down sanctions, moderate sanctions ... but effective, biting sanctions that curtail the import and export of oil into Iran."

Netanyahu continued, "This is what is required now. It may not do the job, but nothing else will, and at least we will have known that it was tried. And if this cannot pass in the Security Council, then it should be done outside the Security Council, but immediately."