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US planning to boost sea and land defences as Iran fears grow
Military planners have asked for emergency funding from Congress to address a perceived shortfall in defence capabilities that could undermine the ability of US forces to respond to an Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal quoted American officials as saying.Gen James Mattis, the head of the US Central Command, has privately informed Congress of his intentions to place mine detection and clearing equipment in and around the Strait and to boost surveillance capabilities in the Gulf. There are also plans to modify weapons systems on ships that are at present vulnerable to Iranian fast-attack boats, many of which carry anti-ship missiles. Reflecting Pentagon fears that the US could be sucked into a war by the end of the year, the Central Command told Congress that it wanted the new systems in place by the autumn. The request comes amid growing speculation that Israel is preparing to launch unilateral military strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities this year. Senior US and British officials have cautioned Israel against such action, urging Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, to give tougher Western sanctions against Iran a chance to work. President Barack Obama is expected to emphasise that message when he holds talks with Mr Netanyahu in Washington next Sunday. Posted by: tipper 2012-02-25 |
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