(NewsMax.com) - Too many Washington sources are telling us this, so it may be imminent.

Israel is set to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, fearing that the Islamic regime will use atomic weapons on the Jewish state.

Israel has long assumed the right of pre-emption -- that is, the right to attack and even make war with Arab states that are developing nuclear weapons.

"They are ready to go," a top former American diplomat with close ties to Israel tells a source close to NewsMax.

There have been mutterings that time is short and Israel will do to Iran what it did to Iraq in 1981.

During that year, Israeli bombers struck Iraq's Osirak nuclear power plant -- and in seconds destroyed Iraq's ability make nuclear bombs. Israel's Prime Minister Menachem Begin came under fierce criticism worldwide, but at home he became a hero to his people.

Israel's current prime minister, Ariel Sharon, no doubt shares Begin's determination that "never again" will a Holocaust be perpetrated against the Jewish people.

Stopping Iran's nuclear program has always been at the top of Israel's "to-do" list.

Before Sept. 11, 2001 there were scattered reports that Israel was preparing to strike Iranian targets.

Clearly, Iran today is much more advanced in its weapons program.

One source told NewsMax that Israel is not sure it can destroy Iran's nuclear facilities with aerial bombing alone and may need to use special ops forces on the ground.

Others suggest that Israel will deploy one of its submarines to the Persian Gulf and fire cruise missiles at key targets.

The U.S. believes that Iran has pursued a nuclear weapon for the past 18 years. In recent years, the Iranians have given only lip service to the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Israel does not believe that oil-rich Iran is interested in building a peaceful atomic program solely for domestic energy needs.

And Israel has become frustrated with the U.N.'s inability to get Iran to comply. Last week, Israeli officials were miffed after the head of the IAEA, Mohammed Elbaradei visited Israel and demanded that Israel give up its nuclear arsenal.

An attack by Israel is fraught with worries.

How would Iran retaliate? Could the attack spark a regional war -- or worse?

And could the U.S., an ally of Israel, become a target as well?

An Israeli attack before November may present other problems -- and impact President Bush's re-election effort.

One Washington security expert suggested the Iranians might simply blockade the Straits of Hormuz and cut the world off from Middle Eastern oil for a short period.

A more likely scenario would be Iran using biological and chemical weapons against Israel.