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The US network CNN shed light on the military maneuvers and escalation between the United States and Iran in the Gulf region, ahead of the first anniversary of the assassination of “Qassem Soleimani”, amid fears that things will get out of control, intentionally or without, causing the scene to explode.
The chain reported that tensions have intensified in recent days, amid fears of a confrontation between the two parties, at a very delicate moment, as it is feared that US President Donald Trump will shuffle the cards days before the date. in which Democrat Joe Biden receives the keys to the White House.
“CNN” quoted a US official familiar with the latest intelligence as saying that some Iranian naval forces in the Gulf have increased their levels of readiness over the past two days.
And earlier this week, US defense officials told the network that new intelligence had shown that Iran was transporting short-range ballistic missiles into Iraq.
Israeli media quoted US sources as saying that Israel and Saudi Arabia were pressuring Trump to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities before he leaves office.
On Thursday, Iran called on the UN Security Council to prevent the United States from undertaking what it described as the “growing military adventure” in the Gulf and Sea of Oman, including sending nuclear bombers to the region, stating that it would not you want a conflict but you want to defend yourself.
The CNN report quotes Tom Nichols, an expert on international affairs, as saying: “I am really concerned that the president may consider involving President-elect Biden in some kind of military operation before leaving the White House.”
For his part, Sam Winograd, a former National Security Council official and CNN analyst, said: “Iran poses a real threat to the national security of the United States, especially during this period when the stakes are high due to the upcoming anniversary. of the murder of Soleimani “.
Winograd added: “I believe that Iran will control any attack linked to this memory because they do not want to surround themselves before Biden seizes power and the resumption of nuclear negotiations that would lead to the lifting of sanctions.”
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And last Wednesday, the United States Central Command announced that the B-52 bombers, known as Stratofortress, had flown over the Middle East to deter any aggression. It added in a statement that the deployment of the bombers sends a clear and dissuasive message to anyone who intends to harm Americans or their interests.
The commander of the United States Central Command, Frank MacKenzie, said that the United States does not seek conflict, but that no one should reduce its defensive capabilities. The giant bombers took off from Minot Base in North Dakota, the third deterrent mission to take place in 45 days.
An American nuclear submarine also sailed in the Strait of Hormuz, and in a statement, the United States Navy, which does not usually reveal the location of its submarines in the world, announced that the USS Georgia submarine can be equipped with 154 Tomahawk missiles and is capable of transporting 66 members of the Special Forces.
The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier has been in Gulf waters since late November, and two US B-52 bombers have recently flown in the region in a show of force directed against Iran and its allies.
According to the “New York Times” newspaper, US intelligence reports indicate that Iran and its proxies may prepare for an attack this weekend to avenge Soleimani’s murder.
And US intelligence analysts say that in recent days they have monitored that the Iranian air force and navy and a number of security units in Tehran have raised their preparations to the maximum.
They indicated that Tehran had transferred more missiles and short-range drones to Iraq. But senior Defense Ministry officials admit they cannot know whether Iran or its proxies in Iraq are preparing to launch an attack on US forces in Baghdad, or whether they are preparing to take defensive measures in the event that Trump orders an attack. preventive against Tehran.
“What we have here is a classic security dilemma, in which maneuvers on both sides can be misinterpreted and increase the risk of miscalculations,” said Brett McGurk, Trump’s former special envoy to the coalition.
The Supreme Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard said on Friday that his country is fully prepared to respond to any US military pressure, amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington in the final days of the Trump presidency.
General Hossein Salami said at a ceremony held at the University of Tehran to mark the anniversary of General Soleimani’s death: “Today we have no problems, anxiety or fear of facing forces.”
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