Mideast News Update

For September 7, 2012

+++++++

Israel's Defense Chief Hints:
US Would Join Israel in Iran Strike

Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with America's Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral James Winnefeld on Thursday. After the meeting the Israeli defense chief hinted to the media that US military preparations may eliminate Israel's need for a solo Iran strike.

IDF Minister Barak stated: "Israel retains its right to make sovereign decisions and the United States respects that. However, one should not ignore the impressive preparations by the Americans to counter Iran on all fronts."

The remarks were in reference to an unprecedented concentration of US forces in the Persian Gulf. In addition to meeting with Admiral Winnefeld, Barak and Netanyahu had a briefing from US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon regarding US preparations for a possible confrontation with Iran.

"As opposed to the Bush administration, the Obama administration is indeed carrying out steps in the gulf, transferring forces and preparing bases," a top Israeli official said. "There is an unprecedented U.S. deployment opposite Iran."

Barak's more moderate remarks follow Netanyahu's more temperate statements earlier this week. Barak said on Monday that if the world outlined "clear red lines" for Iran, the chances of war would be reduced. Netanyahu refrained in recent days from mentioning Israel's right to self-defense or making any other remark which might imply that Israel was planning to bomb Iran.

For more on this story, LINK HERE.

+++++++

Russia Warns Israel, US Against Striking Iran

Would be "Literally Disastrous"

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister warned Israel and the U.S. that any military action against Iran's nuclear facilities would be disastrous, saying it would set off "deep shocks" in the Middle East and beyond. More details, LINK HERE.

+++++++

Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons Depot

Cordoned Off

Concerned About Taliban or Al Qaeda Attack

One of Pakistan's key depots storing nuclear weapons has been sealed-off by the army as an extra measure of protection from an expected terror attack by either the Taliban, Al Qaeda or other Islamic militants.

The move comes after Pakistan's secret service intercepted communications suggesting an attack was imminent. For more details, LINK HERE.

+++++++++++++++++++++

-