Pentagon planning Navy buildup as 'warning to Iran'

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N18217613.htm


US to warn Iran with naval buildup in Gulf- CBS
19 Dec 2006 03:28:31 GMT
Source: Reuters


WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (Reuters) - The Pentagon is planning a major buildup
of U.S. naval forces in and around the Gulf as a warning to Iran, CBS
News reported on Monday.

A senior Defense Department official told Reuters the report was
"premature" and appeared to be drawing "conclusions from assumptions."
The official did not know of plans for a major change in naval
deployment.

Another Defense Department official called the report "speculative" and
a Pentagon spokeswomen declined to comment.

Citing unidentified military officers, CBS said the plan called for the
deployment of a second U.S. aircraft carrier to join the one already in
the region.

The network said the buildup, which would begin in January, wad not
aimed at an attack on Iran but to discourage what U.S. officials view
as increasingly provocative acts by Tehran.

The report said Iranian naval exercises in the Gulf, its support for
Shi'ite militias in Iraq and Iran's nuclear program were causes for
concern among U.S. officials.


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CBS video on the subject:
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_vi...ml?id=2279916n