Experts at the US Defence Department affirm that Iran poses a serious threat to the interests of the US and its allies in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

However, foreign analysts conclude that the deployment of the elements of the US missile defence system in the Gulf under pretence of protection from possible actions of the Iranian authorities looks like an aggressive and a provocative move, especially against a background of a possible pre-emptive attack on Iran.

The US has decided to undertake the mission to strengthen regional security after declaring that Iran poses a major threat to its interests.

To this end

At least, to this end, the Pentagon has deployed eight modernised Patriot missile air defence systems in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Moreover, two American warships capable of shooting down Iranian missiles will assume duty in the Gulf.

However, the good intentions could be only a pretext for the Americans to increase their military presence in the region.

Although this is presented to the international community as a wise precautionary measure, it is in the sense of preparation for launching a pre-emptive attack on Iran, says the president of the Academy of Geopolitical Issues.

Iran has its own missile programme which it says is defensive and does not pose a threat to Israel or the US.

What the Americans are doing now is firstly making preparations for launching an attack on Iran and secondly, striving to put the entire Gulf, consequently, Iranian oil fields under their control.

In short, the US is planning to do with Iran what was done with Iraq.

A pending tough response from Teheran to attempts to impose new economic sanctions against Iran by the international community prompts the US to take urgent steps to protect its interests by deploying Patriot air defence systems.

Meanwhile, if the US manages to win the UN Security Council’s support and imposes restrictions on Iran’s oil trade, this will undermine the country’s economy seriously and consequently, the position of the Iranian regime.

To prevent this, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his supporters are prompted to pursue such a foreign policy that receives a favourable response in the country.

Iran has not responded to the Pentagon’s move yet. Undoubtedly, the response will be quite tough. Most likely, this will be the pretext that the US needs to carry out a pre-emptive attack. (Agencies)