The United States has begun beefing up its approach to defending its Persian Gulf allies against potential Iranian missile strikes, officials say. The defenses are being stepped up in advance of possible increased sanctions against Iran.
The Obama administration has quietly increased the capability of land-based Patriot defensive missiles in several Gulf Arab nations, and one military official said the Navy is increasing the presence of ships capable of knocking out hostile missiles in flight.
I'd guess this isn't so much preparing for an Iranian response for assets that survives our aerial attack--which I doubt we are planning short of a public admission by Iran that they have a nuclear weapon--as it is preparing for the chance that Israel will strike Iran's nuclear facilities.
Israel can't take out Iran's counter-attack capability. So more will be available to strike out. Iran would be wise not to attack anyone but Israel in response, since an attack on Persian Gulf Arab states or our forces would just trigger our much more effective forces.
