US Report: US Fears, Preparing for ’’Israeli’’ Strike on Iran
Local Editor
Under the title "US Warns "Israel" on Strike," US "Wall Street Journal uncovered Saturday that " US military leaders are increasingly concerned that "Israel" is preparing to take military action against Iran, over US objections, and have stepped up contingency planning to safeguard US facilities in the region in case of
According to the paper, "officials lobby against attack on Iran as military leaders bolster defenses."
Confirming that "the US wants "Israel" to give more time for the effects of sanctions and other measures on Iran's nuclear program," Wall Street Journal mentions US mobility in this direction towards "Israel".
"Stepping up the pressure, Obama spoke by telephone on Thursday with "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and US Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will meet with "Israeli" military officials in Tel Aviv next week."
"Recent comments by the "Israelis" show they understand how tough the sanctions we've put in place are and are giving them time to work," said a senior Obama administration official.
The report said that, "largely as a deterrent to Iran, the US has 15,000 soldiers in Kuwait and has moved a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Persian Gulf region."
Additionally, the US has been pre-positioning aircraft and other military hardware and has accelerated arms transfers to US allies in the Persian Gulf region.
It has also been pre-positioning aircraft and other military equipment, officials say. Arms transfers to key allies in the Gulf, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, have been fast-tracked as a further deterrent, officials say.
US officials briefed the daily on the military's planning said concern has mounted over the past two years that "Israel" may strike Iran. But rising tensions with Iran and recent changes at Iranian nuclear sites have ratcheted up the level of US alarm.
"Our concern is heightened," a senior US military official said of the probability of an "Israeli" strike over US objections.
The paper stated that "despite the close relationship between US and "Israel", US officials have consistently puzzled over "Israeli" intentions.
The Iranian messages to the West that "Iran is ready to confront its territories and rights," in parallel to military drills seem to be well read in the book of real alert in the US military and political circles.
a conflict."
"President Barack Obama, "Defense" Secretary Leon Panetta and other top officials have delivered a string of private messages to "Israeli" leaders warning about the dire consequences of a strike," the paper reported.
The US military "is reportedly preparing for a range of possible responses to an "Israeli" strike on Iran, including attacks by pro-Iranian Shiite militias against the US Embassy in Iraq."
The report quoted "Israeli" officials informing that "Panetta and other top officials have privately sought assurances from "Israeli" leaders in recent weeks that they won't take military action against Iran. But the "Israeli" response has been noncommittal."
"It's hard to know what bluster is and what's not with the "Israelis"," said a former US official.
Source: Wall Street Journal, Edited by moqawama.org
