U.S. MULLS IRAN ATTACK IN EARLY 2007

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[maquiladora]

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States has signaled to Gulf Arab allies that an attack on Iran could take place in 2007.

Diplomatic sources said the Bush administration has raised the prospect of a U.S. strike on Iran over the next few months. The sources said the discussions with Gulf Cooperation Council states have also been conducted by U.S. Central Command as well as the U.S. intelligence community.

"There has not been a U.S. commitment, but the discussions have been interpreted as an expression of intent," the source said. "Right now, the U.S. message is that the GCC must get ready for any contingency."

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets foreign ministers from the GCC states as well as Egypt and Jordan. The sources said Ms. Rice intends to brief the foreign ministers on U.S. strategy toward Iraq and Iran in a meeting scheduled to take place in Kuwait.

[ImpBill]

Not so my friend. Actually there are "plans" to attack every potential enemy of the U.S.. But alas the "plans" have to have political venting and the will to carry them out. Other than perhaps some limited bombing campaigns against specific targets, our Republic, both the Shepperd's and the sheep, have no will to fight for our National Security. At least not yet. Once the shroom cloud hangs over some American City, perhaps we will. But quite honestly I don't think that will even do it.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

It's all in a effort of disinformation to keep your enemy off balance and to keep them guessing and egging them to make a fatal mistake.
If you look at the Revolutionary war, George Washington did this a lot with the British, and used it effectively, and also if you look at WWII,, both sides used disinformation.
Look at the fake tanks and forced that were put up, and fake information the Allies used to convince the Germans that we were going to invade one area of France, when in fact, we invaded another area of France.

[Thrownatbirth]

it would prove very hard to find them without going active.

Not really - diesel boats create magnetic anomalies which can be detected. Minesweepers and various towed arrays can do the trick.

[Robe]

The way you find a "super silent sub" is to look where the noise isn't......it will actually leave a sound "shadow".
We have been working on this for years and have just completed some VERY successful maneuvers with a Swedish sub off San Diego.
Don't sell the Silent Service short... they a cold killers, and have been practicing it for a lot longer time that the IRN and are a helluva lot more professional....
I'd put their best diesel up a against a Los Angles class boat with the crew singing "Anchors Aweigh" and stompin thier feet any time

[maquiladora]

Well yes obviously there are off the shelf plans for an invasion of Iran, the likes of Oplan 1004, but what you're seeing taking place is not a preperation to invade a country 3 and half times bigger than Iraq.

It's either a preperation to either (a) launch air strikes against Iranian/Syrian targets or (b) positioning forces in place for expected Iranian retaliation to Israeli air strikes.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

" GWB will have zero support for any kind of extended bombing campaign. " ...... he's got my support to to deal with Iran ... as long as it takes.

[mhking]

Telegraphing our punch?

[Eagle Eye]

Don't worry, the administration would blow up the Golden Gate Bridge or topple another pair of sky scrapers to unify the country first. /tin foil

[stuartcr]

Yes, but they have to be relatively close, and if you are sitting under surface vessels, they can be fooled. Towed arrys are awkward in shallow, littoral waters, where there is a large fishing economy.

[MEGoody]

I thought we were recently told by the WH, that we had no plans to invade Iran?

The attack could consist of a few carefully placed bombs. It doesn't have to include ground troops.

[RSmithOpt]

You are correct....and so do many of the older Iranians who were young adults before the mullahs seized power.

[gdaddy]

Start checking the lunar calendars in that area for no moon dates.

[maquiladora]

The Iranians know it's coming, you can't hide an aircraft carrier group in the Gulf...make that two.

Iran will be retaliating against the Gulf states with their short/medium range missiles. It's only natural that we would have discussed this with them, not in detail, not exact dates of attack etc. but just enough general information that's required.

Like I said, Iran know's its coming. Just like Iraq knew. As long as it's not exact operation details, it doesn't really matter at the end of the day. They can't move Natanz.

[stuartcr]

You can't have a sound shadow without going active yourself or using an echo repeater. Those tests were done under controlled circumstances. In an area with lots of surface traffic, and shallow, littoral waters, the results will probably differ, although, it's all we have at this time.

[RKV]

Good point. Further consider that we have been operating in these waters for some time. How much you want to bet we have it instrumented with a SOSUS like array of sensors? No need to tow sensors and the product of the emplaced sensors could be collected and shared by our entire command, not just one boat. The Iranian Navy is the minor leagues and our guys will hammer them if only given the orders. They might get lucky if they start things off, but a short while latter they will all be deep in Davey Jones' locker.

[Joan Kerrey]

I doubt there would be any international support for it.
---
I think the days are over that there will ever be international support for anything.

[Robe]

I think your are grossly underestimating our submarine capabilities.. hopefully the rag-heads are too

[Prophet in the wilderness]

" Apparently the Bush administration doesn't care if WE are invaded (from the south). "

That is more of Congress's responsibility and problem than it is President Bush's responsibility and problem.
He is just the Commander in chief and chief executive, he does not make laws, or funds the agencies to enforce the laws. ( however, he does enact the laws by his signature as Chief executive ).
Most of the blame goes to Congress.

[maquiladora]

This "new moon" thing really is becoming out of date in 2007, when it will be cruise missiles and B-2 bombers doing the damage..

For recent historial reference, the Iraq war began during almost a full moon.

The Kosovo air strikes were launched a week away from a new moon.

I could go on...

[Prophet in the wilderness]

You could be right, they are more concerned about Paris Hilton than what is happening in the REAL WORLD.