U.S. Sends Warships to Iran, Pre-Election Attack Possible

Interview with journalist David Lindorff, conducted by Scott Harris

Even as North Korea conducted a nuclear weapons test, setting-off worldwide condemnation, the Bush administration had deployed a naval strike group to the Straits of Hormuz off the Iranian coast. The war ships, scheduled to arrive in the Straits on Oct. 21, include the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier U.S.S. Eisenhower, a cruiser, destroyer, frigate, submarine and supply ship. The mission of this armada is not known, but there are reports that angry naval officers within the Eisenhower Strike Group have told antiwar retired officers that their ships are being sent to launch a military attack against Iran.

There is no confirmation that President Bush has ordered such an attack and it could be a bluff designed to intimidate Iran. But if an October attack is carried out, the timing suggests that influencing the outcome of the November congressional election -- where Republicans are on the ropes -- may be a primary strategic goal. Critics warn that such a U.S. pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear research facilities would likely set off a wider war inside Iraq and throughout the Middle East, where Iran's allies are capable of launching counterattacks against U.S. targets.

Both Time magazine and investigative journalist Dave Lindorff have written stories about the debate within the Bush administration over U.S. policy toward Iran and the concurrent deployment of the U.S.S. Eisenhower to waters off the Iranian coast. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Dave Lindorff who discusses the possible war scenario described in his article, "War Signals?" which appeared on the The Nation magazine website in September.

Dave Lindorff is co-author of the book, "The Case for Impeachment, The Legal Argument for Removing President George W. Bush from Office." To read his articles online visit Dave's website at:

www.thiscantbehappening.net

Related links:

"War Signals," by Dave Lindorff in The Nation

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