The war machinery of the Pentagon seems to be quite alert to launch a surprise attack on Iran. That means that the war agenda is very much on cards and looming large in the Gulf. There can be no doubt that President Bush can take every possible risk now, since his Republican Party might not win the next presidential polls. On the other hand, the White House strategists think that Iran could serve the US case better. If the US wins the wars in some measure that would benefit the Republicans and improve the image of the US. The US has also reviewed the reaction of Iran to Saudi Arabia's efforts to dissuade Tehran from going nuclear as well as the recent tour programmes of Russia and Japan in the Middle East. Whether or not Iran gives up its nuclear programme, the US attack, therefore, seems imminent. The Democrats can do nothing to stop that from happening in any manner. They too know that the Pentagon-cum-CIA have taken all necessary precautions by studying the failures in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Thus the US-led Nato adventure in Iran would be an improved version, unless the war is averted by Iran. That only means that Iran's time is running out pretty fast.