The Wall Street Journal reports: 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.
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 U.S. 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, Mr. Obama spoke by telephone on Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. 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 U.S. officials warn Tehran, including through what administration officials described Friday 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. On Thursday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to punish the perpetrators of the assassination—blamed by Iran on the U.S. and Israel—of an Iranian scientist involved in the nuclear program.
The U.S. denied the charge and condemned the attack. Israel hasn’t commented.
The U.S. and Iran, however, have taken steps in recent days apparently designed to ease tensions. Iran has agreed to host a delegation of United Nations nuclear inspectors this month. The U.S., meanwhile, has twice this month rescued Iranian sailors in the region’s seas.
Covert efforts by Israel’s intelligence service to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons have been credited with slowing the program without the high risk of military conflict that could be sparked by an airstrike. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful uses.
But Israel has declined to rule out a strike, as has the U.S.
“It is the policy of the Israeli government, and the Obama administration, that all options remain on the table. And it is crucial that the ayatollahs in Tehran take this policy seriously,” said Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S.
Mr. Netanyahu said in a recent interview that Iran has begun to “wobble,” a signal some U.S. officials believe suggests he is willing to follow the current U.S. strategy, which seeks to avoid a military confrontation with Iran.
“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 U.S. military is preparing for a number of possible responses to an Israeli strike, including assaults by pro-Iranian Shiite militias in Iraq against the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, according to U.S. officials.
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.
Attempts to reason with Israel and to sternly stress US and NATO interests fall on deaf ears when muddied by kowtowing and slimy reassurances that contradict danger for fear of losing American Zionist and Jewish presidential campaign support. This only fires up the Israeli narcissism and puts US, Israel, Iran and Mideast in great danger. As I said before, the Holocaust Psychosis makes Israeli leaders think that they have to choose between extermination of Israel or Iran, despite the conclusion by all non-psychotic Israeli analysts that there is no danger from a nuclear Iran. Israel’s great fear is that a nuclear Iran will give courage to Arabs to stand up against Israeli expansionism and attempts to dominate the Middle East. Israel can become a leading force in the region only by supporting and guiding Arab Spring towards modernization. But current attempts to promote corrupt dictators because that’s the only way Likudniks feel secure is mentally disturbed. I would hate to see so wonderful a nation turning into the very theocratic madness it decries Muslims for. Obama’s warnings however as so much double-talk that it makes them feel stronger not properly warned. Unless Obama is truly firm he faces a Pentagon rebellion.
When all’s said and done, we shall see whether we are into W.W.III or Israel is put in its place. I can’t see how the U.S.Military will go along with Israel calling the shots. Perhaps that’s the reason the thousand[s] of troops are streaming into Israel today. This has gone on long enough. If the Israeli leadership is beyond reason, then they are dangerous to the whole world, especially the U.S.A. Taking things a step further, “O” signing that order allowing the military to detain indefinitely anyone who might be a terrorist or threat on American soil, could be a prelude to arresting any member of Congress, Aipac, other simpitizers of the Israeli cause. The devil is in the details.