US defense officials divided over potential for Iranian attack on eve of grim anniversary
Pentagon officials say the army muscle-flexing is supposed to warn Tehran off attacking American pursuits or personnel within the days surrounding the January 3 anniversary of the Trump administration’s assassination of the highly effective Iranian chief Gen. Qasem Soleimani.
At the identical time, appearing Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller determined Wednesday in opposition to a push to increase the plane service USS Nimitz’s deployment to the Persian Gulf, sending it out of the area in an express de-escalation sign to Iran, in response to a senior defense official.
The conflicting messages might replicate divisions inside the Pentagon, the place a second senior defense official tells CNN that the present menace degree from Iran is probably the most regarding they’ve seen since Soleimani’s loss of life. Officials cite new intelligence that Iran and allied militias in Iraq could also be plotting assaults in opposition to US forces within the Middle East. For instance, Iran has been shifting quick vary ballistic missiles into Iraq, prompting the US to deploy extra army property to the area.
Yet others within the Pentagon contend that the menace is being exaggerated, with the primary senior defense official — who’s instantly concerned in discussions — telling CNN that there’s “not a single piece of corroborating intel” suggesting an attack by Iran could also be imminent.
President Donald Trump has fueled some of the uncertainty, reportedly asking in a mid-November assembly for army choices he might use in opposition to Iran. He then threatened Iran after a December 21 attack on the US embassy in Baghdad that senior US officials, together with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, attributed to Iraqi militias affiliated with Tehran.
“Our embassy in Baghdad got hit Sunday by several rockets,” Trump tweeted from aboard Air Force One after a December 23 White House assembly on Iranian threats. “Three rockets failed to launch. Guess where they were from: IRAN.”
Trump then supplied “some friendly health advice to Iran: If one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over.”
A defense official tells CNN that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley “is paying extremely close attention to the situation. The military doesn’t believe an attack is imminent, but is taking all precautions to ensure they deter Iran while protecting US forces.”
The B-52 flight was the second time this month the Pentagon has despatched the nuclear-capable bombers to the area. It follows the Navy’s uncommon December 21 announcement that it had despatched a nuclear-powered submarine by way of the Persian Gulf, accompanied by guided-missile cruisers.
US Central Command, which oversees army operations within the Middle East, stated in a press release that Wednesday’s B-52 flight was meant “to underscore the US military’s commitment to regional security and demonstrate a unique ability to rapidly deploy overwhelming combat power on short notice.”
Before Miller known as again the USS Nimitz, which had been on account of depart the Gulf, CENTCOM Commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie had been pushing to increase the warship’s deployment there, in what might need been the longest plane service deployment in a few years, the primary senior defense official informed CNN.
This official expressed concern that some inside the authorities are portray the scenario with Iran as extra dire than it really is, and are pre-occupied with the potential for retaliatory assaults by Iran to mark the anniversary of Soleimani’s assassination.
After Soleimani was killed in Iraq by an American drone strike in January, Iran responded with a serious missile attack on US army bases within the area.
Now, intelligence gathered by the US is indicating a “possibly imminent attack” by Iranian-backed militias on US forces in Iraq, though there isn’t any certainty, a defense official tells CNN.
Nonetheless the priority is critical sufficient that extra protecting measures for US troops have been taken, this official and a second defense official inform CNN. Both declined to specify the measures being taken.
Three US defense officials inform CNN that Iran has been shifting extra weaponry into Iraq, together with quick vary ballistic missiles, an arsenal that officials consider could possibly be used to strike American targets.
The second senior army official stated that the US has intelligence indicating that militia teams have been assembly with parts of Iran’s Quds Force, an expeditionary army drive that Soleimani beforehand led, later including that the US had proof of militias planning for advanced assaults in Iraq that will require Iranian help to achieve success.
“There has been a number of troubling indications of advanced planning and preparation for attacks in Iraq that appear aimed at US military and US interests,” one US defense official stated.
Officials stress that there are not any plans or any preparations being taken for any offensive motion directed at Iran and efforts to strengthen US troops within the area are about deterring assaults, not about conducting a preemptive strike.
