Analysis: How US is putting more heat on Iran

The USS Stennis has been order to join the USS Eisenhower in the Persian Gulf

WASHINGTON - The US isn't facing a two-front war, exactly – but as the Pentagon begins its new push in Iraq, the Bush administration simultaneously is increasing military and political pressure on Iran.

The point is to counter Iranian meddling in Iraq, while making the nation's ruling mullahs think harder about any plans to intensify their nuclear program, according to White House officials. They say further US moves are likely in the weeks ahead.

But it's not clear that such escalation will accomplish more than it will cost, say some experts. Any actual attack on its agents or interests might cause Iran to redouble its current support for Iraqi Shiite militias. Or Tehran could decide to outflank US forces by causing trouble elsewhere.

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