The U.S. military is discussing significant changes in its war plans to adhere to President ObamaÂ’s new strategic guidance that downplays preparing for conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and counts on allies to provide additional troops.
War planning for Iran is now the most pressing scenario, or what the Pentagon calls a contingency.
U.S. Central Command believes it can destroy or significantly degrade IranÂ’s conventional armed forces in about three using air and sea strikes, according to a defense source familiar with the discussions.
Such strikes are an option in a response to TehranÂ’s striking U.S. and international ships in the Persian Gulf and attempting to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the worldÂ’s oil is transported.
The Pentagon now is conducting a step-by-step surge of forces in the Gulf. It is maintaining two aircraft carriers in the region and is increasing the number of mine-detection ships and helicopters. |