U.S. Warns Israel on Strike

[ALL CAPS WERE ADDED BY TEX AND ARE NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE]

By ADAM ENTOUS,JULIAN E. BARNES and JAY SOLOMON

WASHINGTON—U.S. defense leaders are increasingly concerned that Israel is preparing to take military action against Iran, over U.S. objections, and have stepped up contingency planning to safeguard U.S. facilities in the region in case of a conflict.

Associated Press

Iranians on Friday carried the flag-draped coffin of Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, a scientist working in Iran's nuclear sector assassinated in Tehran.

President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and other top officials have delivered a string of private messages to Israeli leaders warning about the dire consequences of a strike. [PLEASE WAIT UNTIL OCTOBER] The U.S. wants Israel to give more time [UNTIL OCTOBER] for the effects of sanctions and other measures intended to force Iran to abandon its perceived efforts to build nuclear weapons.
Stepping up the pressure, Mr. Obama spoke by telephone on Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will meet with Israeli military officials in Tel Aviv next week.
The high-stakes planning and diplomacy comes as U.S. officials warn Tehran, including through what administration officials described Friday as direct messages to Iran's leaders, against provocative actions.

Tehran has warned that it could retaliate to tightened sanctions by blocking oil trade through the Strait of Hormuz. On Thursday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to punish the perpetrators of the assassination—blamed by Iran on the U.S. and Israel—of an Iranian scientist involved in the nuclear program.

The U.S. denied the charge and condemned the attack. Israel hasn't commented.


The U.S. and Iran, however, have taken steps in recent days apparently designed to ease tensions. Iran has agreed to host a delegation of United Nations nuclear inspectors this month. The U.S., meanwhile, has twice this month rescued Iranian sailors in the region's seas.

[OBAMA IS AFRAID THAT THINGS ARE HEATING UP TOO FAST. HE NEEDS A SEPT-OCT SURPRISE NOT A JAN-FEB SURPRISE. THAT WOULD GIVE THE PEOPLE TOO MUCH TIME TO REALIZE WHAT A HORRIBLE MISTAKE IT WAS TO GO TO WAR WITH IRAN]

Covert efforts [TERRORIST ATTACKS] by Israel's intelligence service to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons [BY KILLING SCIENTISTS THROUGH TERRORIST ATTACKS] have been credited [TERRORIST ATTACKS HAVE BEEN CREDITED?]with slowing the program without the high risk of military conflict that could be sparked by an airstrike. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful uses.

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