US 'ready to strike' Iran

Dubai: The Bush administration is in the "advanced stages" of preparing for a military strike against Iranian nuclear sites, according to a report quoting US officials and analysts.

Click here for Iran's nuclear programme graphic (pdf)

Washington's current military build-up in the Gulf would allow it to mount an attack by spring, the Guardian reported yesterday. The report comes a day after Defence Secretary Robert Gates reiterated that the US was not planning a strike against Iran.

In Abu Dhabi, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for the Middle East, Mark Kimmitt, told a Gulf security conference yesterday that the US is not seeking a military confrontation with Tehran over its controversial nuclear programme.

But the Guardian quoted Vincent Cannistraro, a US intelligence analyst and former CIA official, as saying: "Planning is going on, in spite of public disavowals ... Targets have been selected."

The report said neo-conservatives, particularly at the American Enterprise Institute, and US Vice-President Dick Cheney are pushing for action against Iran.

Last month, Bush ordered a second battle group to the Gulf and has recently ordered oil reserves to be stockpiled, the report said.