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Reuters Jumana El Heloueh
The US network “CNN” confirmed the existence of a division among Pentagon officials on the risk of possible attacks by Iran and its regional allies, ahead of the anniversary of the assassination of the commander of the “Quds Force”, Qassem Soleimani.
In a report released Thursday, the network quoted a senior Pentagon official as saying that the threat posed by Iran has reached the highest level since Soleimani’s assassination.
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Pentagon officials told CNN that there are new intelligence reports that Iran and its allied factions in Iraq may be planning strikes against US forces in the Middle East, and these preparations include the transfer of short-range ballistic missiles from Tehran. to the neighboring country, prompting Washington to deploy additional forces in the area.
On the other hand, other Pentagon officials expressed to the network their belief that concerns about the alleged Iranian threat are exaggerated.
A second high-ranking Defense Ministry official, who is directly involved in discussions on the matter, confirmed the absence of intelligence information indicating that an attack by Iran could be imminent.
Another defense official told CNN that the US Army Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley is following the situation very carefully, explaining: “The military does not believe there is an imminent threat of attacks, but they are doing all the preparations to ensure the deterrence and protection of US forces. “
In this regard, CNN indicated that the United States Central Command announced yesterday that the strategic nuclear bombers, “B-52”, would fly to the Middle East for the second time since the beginning of the month.
At the same time, the second senior official confirmed that the decision of the US Acting Secretary of Defense, Christopher Miller, to remove the aircraft carrier “Nimitz” from the Gulf yesterday, came despite demands from Central Command Kenneth McKinsey to extend the mission of the ship in the region.
Officials described the recent military movements in the region as a “muscle show” intended to warn Tehran not to take hostile action against US forces in the region ahead of the anniversary of the assassination of Soleimani, who was killed in a US attack near the airport. from Baghdad on January 3.
The officials highlighted the absence of plans and preparations in preparation for taking offensive measures against Iran in the region, adding that all recent measures taken to strengthen the US military presence in the Middle East are aimed at deterring potential attacks and not leading carry out preemptive strikes.
Source: CNN
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