Troops Readied In Persian Gulf

CNN reported on June 15th that, in light of the potential for social unrest in Iran following the presidential election there, the U.S. military commander in the Middle East has already received his orders and has commanded troops in the Persian Gulf to behave with discipline and prudence. This is the only confirmed response on the part of the U.S. military to the situation in Iran.

According to the CNN report, two Defense Department officials familiar with this highly classified information have already confirmed the report’s veracity. However, due to the sensitivity of the information, they could not confirm who issued the order.

Both informants stressed that this does not mean that the U.S. is elevating its national threat level. However, the officials said, the U.S. is quite concerned that, because of the unstable circumstances in Iran, a clash between Iran and the U.S. could soon become inevitable.

The U.S. military is concerned that Iranian naval activities in the Persian Gulf will give the U.S. no choice but to respond. One official said that the White House has been constantly reminding military leaders and personnel to watch Iran closely at every level. No matter what, the troops must exercise unremitting discipline.