US defence 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 a conflict, the Wall Street Journal said in a report on Saturday.
President Barack Obama, Defence 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 US wants Israel to give more time for the effects of sanctions and other measures intended to force Iran to abandon its perceived efforts to build nuclear weapons.
Stepping up the pressure, WSJ reported that 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.
The high-stakes planning and diplomacy comes as US officials warn Tehran, including through what administration officials described as direct messages to Iran’s leaders, against provocative actions.
Tehran has warned that it could retaliate to tightened sanctions by blocking oil trade through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. denied the charge and condemned the attack. Israel hasn’t commented.
The WSP report said that the US military is preparing for a number of possible responses to an Israeli strike, including assaults by pro-Iranian Shia militias in Iraq against the US Embassy in Baghdad, according to US officials.
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, US officials said.
“Our concern is heightened,” a senior US military official said of the probability of an Israeli strike over US objections.
after all the BS Israel has caused.. plain and simple Iran belongs to the NPT, and Israel is not…after all there threats and banging the war drum…. you can see the writing on the wall they are dragging the US into yet another war…. Israel is a parasite not only to the American tax payer but also our US government.. well you know what fight your own battles, cowards.. and i hope Iran does wipe you off the map.. maybe then I'll have money for my childrens college funds.
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