US speeds up its own and Gulf allies' preparations for clash with Iran

[The Master]

The Obama administration took the unusual step Saturday night, Jan. 30, of leaking word to major US media that the United States, Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies - the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain - have accelerated the deployment of new defenses against possible Iranian missile attacks. They are preparing for Iran, or its surrogate Hizballah, to hit back for a possible US or strikes on Tehran's nuclear facilities.
debkafile's US military sources confirm that Washington plans to treble the 10,000-strong US troop contingent, already present in Saudi Arabia for guarding its oil fields and port facilities against medium or short-range Iranian missile attack, or sabotage by Hizballah marine units trained for their mission by Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Additional US Aegis missile interceptor cruisers with advanced radar and anti-missile systems were also reported to be heading for round-the-clock patrol around Iranian shores, with more Patriot anti-missile missiles to reinforce the eight batteries already deployed in the four emirates.
The Obama administration set these exceptional steps in motion, debkafile reports, in anticipation of nuclear provocations from Tehran while the regime celebrates the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution from Feb.1-11.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has promised to announce Iran's attainment of a 20 percent uranium enrichment capability, a short step to weapons grade material.

Some high-ranking Revolutionary Guards officers have also said that Iran will parade a new type of surface missile during the celebrations, without revealing its features, while Iranian space scientists predicted the launch of a new spy satellite of the Toloo series.
All this was taken in Washington as a challenge that could not be left without an appropriate response. Administration officials also feared that Israel might be goaded into going forward with a military operation against Iran's nuclear facilities. The Gulf Arab states were in need of reassurance too.
The White House's decision to deploy additional defenses in the Gulf came only a day after National Security Adviser James Jones warned that Iran was liable to react to pressure by having its proxies Hizballah and Hamas attack Israel. The abruptness of this step pointed to the administration having woken up to the realization that its diplomatic and military position in the region was in grave jeopardy and in dire need of shoring up without delay.

[Source: Debka]

[The Master]

And a link for those that are not believers in Debka.

washingtonpost.com

[The Master]

If the US does strike Iran it will be the beginning of a long and tedious series of terrorists attacks against the US overseas & on her own soil. My opinion is that most of the radical Islamic world views Obama as a traitor of the faith and if he, in their views, allows such an action then the fatwa will be directed against America with a vengeance. Some intelligence chatter has been captured already on this.

Then there is the China and Russia aspect also. I do not see China nor Russia getting directly involved but one cannot rule either of these two out either 100%, Most Americans don't think of China in that manner of being confrontational but on the same hand most Americans do not fully understand or know this communist hold out country well enough. In my opinion they are waiting for the "big one" so to speak so they can step up and challenge the US in front of the world.

Russia on the other hand is sneaky with a goof up front friendly image but still has not gotten over the Cold War entirely. Myself and many others believe they still have those little suit case nukes (actually the size of a fully packed duffel bag) They still maintain help from their friends in the Balkan region and use them like mercenary's when required. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, will Obama toss a few sidewinders as Bill did or will he opt for the full effect like 'ol W did?

We shall see soon I think. I can see the US will use place more sanctions and increase diplomatic pressure, I expect Iran will eventually get nuclear weapons. I don't think Obama will assist or give permission for an Israeli strike. Israel may go alone.

Now if Iran retaliates against our assets in the Persian Gulf, they should pay a very heavy price. No tit for tat. Because that's how they would ratchet up insurgency in Iraq and around the world. I'm talking shock and awe. No occupation or land war, just a total air campaign and naval blockade. Operation Iron Eagle. Destroy all the oil field infrastructure.

Maybe in a decade when Ron Paul is elected , he'll call Saudia Arabia and tell them if another major terrorist event ever goes down against the US, Mecca and Medina are wiped off the face of the desert.....forever. lol

[Politicus]

I don't think the mullahs in Iran are crazy enough to push things too far. They'll push, but I don't think they'll cross the line. That doesn't mean that some other nut with control of one of their weapons won't though.

Of course, who knows lol.