WarSclerotic

Iran Conflict: Security Dilemma As US-Israel Military War Game Halted Amid Rising Iranian Tension | World News | Sky News.

US missile defence troops previously deployed to Israel ahead of the Iraq war in 2003

 

 

The drill, called “Austere Challenge”, had been due to take place in April and would have involved the deployment of thousands of US troops.

 

The exercise would have simulated scenarios in which American and Israeli missile defence systems would be co-ordinated to protect Israel in the event of attack.

 

Senior defence officials told the Israeli media that the drill – the largest ever joint missile defence exercise – would be rescheduled for the end of the year.

 

It is not clear whether Israel or the US was behind the postponement, but Washington is known to be wary about increasing regional tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme.

 

 

Publicly, Israel says it still favours economic sanctions and diplomacy to deter Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. But it has refused to rule out military action to tackle what it considers an “existential threat”.

 

Last week’s assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist – the fourth in two years – raised tensions, with Iran accusing Israel of being behind the attack.

 

President Barak Obama, who spoke to Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu by telephone last week, is reported to be seeking assurances that Israel will not launch a pre-emptive strike without Washington’s approval.

 

Analysts say Mr Obama, focusing on his own re-election bid, is reluctant to become embroiled in another regional conflict.

 

The Chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, General Martin Dempsey, is due to visit Israel later this week.

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