A few days ago, President Obama told Iran’s supreme leader that the US would consider closing the Strait of Hormuz to be crossing a “red line” and that the US would respond to such a move. The administration is also sending a message to the Israelis to keep cool. The Wall Street Journal has a story that essentially says US officials are in the dark about Israel’s intentions when it comes to the possibility of launching a military strike against Iran.
U.S. defense leaders are increasingly concerned that Israel is preparing to take military action against Iran, over U.S. objections, and have stepped up contingency planning to safeguard U.S. facilities in the region in case of a conflict.
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The U.S. believes its embassy and other diplomatic outposts in Iraq are more vulnerable following the withdrawal of U.S. forces last month. Up to 15,000 U.S. diplomats, federal employees and contractors are expected to remain in Iraq.
In large measure to deter Iran, the U.S. has 15,000 troops in Kuwait, and has moved a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Persian Gulf area.
In all likelihood though, a covert war between Israel and Iran has been under way for years. The conventional wisdom on the latest killing of an Iranian scientist in Tehran says the Israelis were behind it. The US has vehemently denying it played a role in the assassination.
Then there’s this story. It sounds like Hollywood stuff, but the allegations are that Israeli spies were posing as CIA agents to recruit Pakistani terrorists for operations against Iran. The journalist who wrote the story told Al Jazeera he doesn’t think the episode will change anything between the US and Israel. Nonetheless, pretty astounding stuff. And dangerous times.
