The US Central Command is aggressively planning a naval buildup in the
Gulf region, in response to a series of actions by Iran, NBC News reported
yesterday.
These actions include Iran's interference in Iraq, recent military naval
exercises in the Gulf, and its alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons, according to
the report.
The attempt at "gunboat diplomacy" is in its final planning stages and could
happen as early as January.
On Monday, the Bush administration said Iran was making headway in building
nuclear weapons.
While not predicting when Iran would join the nuclear club, State Department
spokesman Sean McCormack said the Iranians were trying to perfect technology to
enrich uranium.
Iran has denied an effort to build nuclear weapons and says its work is for
energy development.
