has began. It is obvious the Iranians won't stop enriching uranium. MANAMA, Bahrain - Defense Secretary Robert Gates met with senior U.S. and coalition naval commanders Thursday to plan operations in the Persian Gulf, including the arrival next month of another U.S. aircraft carrier and more Patriot missiles meant in part as a warning to Iran. This tiny state in the northern Gulf is headquarters to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet and Central Command's naval staff. ............ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070118/ap_on_re_mi_ea/gates The scenario could be Israel will be quiet for the time being while U.S. builds up the needed forces to defend the air space for Israel against the Iranian missiles, plus the logistics and the other needed stuff for the operation "No nukes for Iran". After all is done, said, and ready Israel (or U.S.) will start the bombardment. I don't think this time Iran will be given much warning as it was with Iraq.