Officials in Washington are developing potential scenarios for a
military strike against Iran, local media reported on
Wednesday.
The news comes after Germany announced last week that it no
longer supports additional sanctions against Iran.
The diplomatic backtracking by Germany, which has long been a
fixture in discussions over Iran's nuclear program, has led
officials in the White House to discuss alternative options for
dealing with Iran, including several military strategies.
According to news reports, military options fall under two basic
categories: the blockading of oil and gas exports, and full-scale
aerial bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities.
However, many US policy makers are concerned that US military
actions in Iran are too costly, will stretch American forces too
thin, and may ultimately fan anti-American sentiment in Teheran,
which would help foster popular support for outspoken Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Despite military planning, news reports say the US will continue
to press for tougher, new UN sanctions against Iran when diplomats
meet in Washington on Septmeber 21.
(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2007)
