Source: Cheney convinces Bush to strike Iran before end of term

Above: An F/A-18C Hornet, attached to the "Knighthawks" of Strike Fighter Squadron 136, is transferred from the hangar bay to the flight deck aboard the USS Enterprise in June. The nuclear-powered carrier and an accompanying strike group are headed to the Persian Gulf, where according to various statements it will either join or replace strike groups headed by the USS Nimitz and USS Stennis.

The balance in the internal White House debate over Iran has shifted back in favour of military action before President George Bush leaves office in 18 months, the Guardian has learned.

The shift follows an internal review involving the White House, the Pentagon and the state department over the last month. Although the Bush administration is in deep trouble over Iraq, it remains focused on Iran. A well-placed source in Washington said: "Bush is not going to leave office with Iran still in limbo"...

The vice-president, Dick Cheney, has long favoured upping the threat of military action against Iran. He is being resisted by the secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, and the defence secretary, Robert Gates.

Last year Mr Bush came down in favour of Ms Rice, who along with Britain, France and Germany has been putting a diplomatic squeeze on Iran. But at a meeting of the White House, Pentagon and state department last month, Mr Cheney expressed frustration at the lack of progress and Mr Bush sided with him. "The balance has tilted. There is cause for concern," the source said this week.

Read the rest at the Guardian

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