U.S. ABLE TO ATTACK IRAN IN SPRING

"US preparations for an air strike against Iran are at an advanced stage... The present military build-up in the Gulf would allow the US to mount an attack by the spring... "Planning is going on, in spite of public disavowals by Gates. Targets have been selected. For a bombing campaign against nuclear sites, it is quite advanced. The military assets to carry this out are being put in place. We are planning for war. It is incredibly dangerous"...

"... Mr Bush has ordered oil reserves to be stockpiled.... a second battle group led by the aircraft carrier USS John Stennis... is due to arrive within the next 10 days. Extra US Patriot missiles have been sent to the region, as well as more minesweepers, in anticipation of Iranian retaliatory action...But the sources said that... Bush had not yet made a decision... (and) if there was an attack, it was more likely next year, just before Mr Bush leaves office..."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,2010086,00.html