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Report: Israel given access to bases near Iran border

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    Former U.S. Ambassador John Bolton reacts

  • Duration 3:30
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-- -- our top story now on that new report coming in saying that the US thinks that Azerbaijan.

Has recently granted Israel access to air bases.

Along its border with Iran if true.

That means the Israelis could strike Iran's nuclear facilities without having to refuel and that is a big change in Israel's military situation.

John Bolton is the former US ambassador to the UN -- Fox News contributor.

Hello mr.

ambassador.

I -- -- -- bigger so if these new reports are correct -- Israel is now being granted access to Azerbaijan what does this mean.

Well I think two things one substantively.

Obviously Israel can do the math and the geography and if it can get positions.

Closer to Iran's nuclear.

Targets to be able to attack them that that says so much the better from Israel's.

Point of view Israel knows how difficult.

Preemptive military attack would day and it's not surprising if these reports are true and I'm not commenting one way or the other whether they are but I think there's another point here.

Beneath the substantive point and that is that these reports come from American intelligence officials.

After you think back -- month or so ago Defense Secretary Panetta.

Said publicly that he thought if Israel attacked Iran it would be in the April may June period.

And I think the reason he did that was that the Obama administration's private effort to pressure Israel.

Not to attack Iran were failing and they had decided to go public I think this slate today is part of the administration's campaign against an Israeli attack.

Yeah I'm factor and how long there are reports today in Israel news that in fact the US.

Is leaking this classified information in order to dissuade Israel so why is the US doing.

I think the Obama administration.

Has long believed that an Israeli attack was worse than and Iran in nuclear weapons.

The president says that containment and deterrence of Iran is not his policy and I think today that's true but it's his plan day it's his back up plan.

When his current efforts that sanctions fail and diplomacy fails and Iran gets nuclear weapons.

And I think that the pressure that the administration is put on Israel has been just merciless behind the scenes.

But nonetheless as I say every evidence is that the pressures failing that.

The Israeli government will do what they think is necessary.

So the Obama administration is -- get up a notch and now they're -- revealed very sensitive very important information.

That will allow Iran to defeat an Israeli attack I think that's what's going on.

So if Israel does take advantage of these Azerbaijani.

Airstrips or our places that they can launch from what does that mean for the US.

Well I'm not saying I have any knowledge about -- -- -- in Azerbaijan but but what it means is that the likelihood of an Israeli attack would be more successful.

Because the distance -- -- shorter they can have their planes over the target for longer periods of time.

They have to worry less about aerial refueling there -- a whole host of reasons why being able attack from closer and positions makes sense.

So releasing this information so that to Iran -- now know about it.

Takes away about potentially very powerful mode of attack that I -- to the Israelis had been able to keep secret.

Former ambassador John Bolton thanks so much for your expertise.

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