U.S. increasing missile defense system in the Persian Gulf

In order counter the potential threat from Iran, the United States military expanded its land and sea missile defense system in and around the Persian Gulf.

Senior White House officials have announced that they have increased and expanded its land and sea missile defense systems in and around the Persian Gulf to counter a possible Iranian threat, according to Reuters. This new defense strategy could possibly pressure Iran as President Barack Obama could not gain support for sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The missile defense systems will be increased into the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Navy ships with the same systems surrounding the Mediterranean to deter a strike from Iran, reports the United Press International. Aegis cruisers currently patrol the coast of Iran. The latest initiative against Iran, which denies developing nuclear weapons, began under the former Bush administration but expanded under the Obama administration. Spokesperson for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said, “The chairman has made it clear many times that he remains concerned about the ballistic missile threat posed by Iran, but it would be inappropriate to discuss any mitigation or defense measures we might have in place to deter/defeat that threat.” Voice of America notes that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged China on Friday to support the move for sanctions against Iran otherwise they could face diplomatic isolation if it doesn’t join the initiative. General David Petraeus also called Iran a “very serious threat.”