A war against Iran could be launched within the next two years, a senior adviser to George Bush warned last night. CIA specialist on Iran Reuel Marc Gerecht said there had been a "tidal shift" of opinion towards military action, especially in Israel. He added: "I think it has now become highly likely the Israelis will launch a strike before the end of George Bush's presidency."
An Israeli attack before the US election in November 2008 risks sparking a military explosion in the Middle East. It is likely to be backed up by American and possibly British air support from Iraq. Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad could retaliate by sending the Republican Guard across the border with Iraq to attack British forces.
Experts warned there would be a massive surge in Iranianbacked suicide attacks.
The UN has voted unanimously to impose sanctions against Iran over its failure to halt its nuclear programme.
Iraqi National – WNA / Baghdad Office/ Anbar rescue Council announced today, Thursday, the killing of five members of the al-Qaeda network of Anbar governorate west of Iraq.
The leader of the Council, Sheikh Hamid Farhan said that the local council forces killed five terrorists among them a Yamani nationality prince in the area of Heet in western Iraq.
Farhan assured that "Council forces tightened her grip on the West Coast" which is facing continued tension on the part of armed groups that operate in that region. The Council of the province of Anbar is supported by the Iraqi government and American forces in the region.