Donald Trump could be ready to order a strike against Iran, Australian Government figures say

Perhaps a Whitehorse Souse, rather than a Whitehouse source? :D

So far none of those Australian sources have been found... fake news perhaps?

Donald Trump says he is willing to talk to Iran with 'no preconditions'

United States President Donald Trump has said he will "certainly meet" with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, and without preconditions, if the Iranian leader was willing.

Speaking during a joint media conference with Italy's Prime Minister, Mr Trump said he would meet with the Iranians "anytime they want to".

"I'll meet with anybody," he said.

"There's nothing wrong with meeting."

The overture comes as Mr Trump and the Iranians have been escalating their rhetoric after Mr Trump's May withdrawal from the landmark nuclear accord.

The United States has also vowed to boost sanctions until Iran changes its regional policies, including its support for regional militant groups.

It is unclear whether Mr Rouhani has any interest in meeting with Mr Trump.

Mr Rouhani's chief of staff claimed earlier this month in Iran's state-owned newspaper that Mr Rouhani had rejected eight requests from Mr Trump for one-on-one talks last year.

Mr Rouhani recently warned the US that "war with Iran is the mother of all wars," prompting an all-caps retort from Mr Trump.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-31/donald-trump-says-willing-to-talk-to-iran-without-preconditions/10054714

So far it is not an official request and just a rumour.

Senior figures in the Turnbull Government have told the ABC they believe the United States is prepared to bomb Iran's nuclear capability, perhaps as early as next month, and that Australia is poised to help identify possible targets.

t comes amid intense sabre-rattling by US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani.

The ABC has been told secretive Australian defence facilities would likely play a role in identifying targets in Iran, as would British intelligence agencies.

But a senior security source emphasised there was a big difference between providing accurate intelligence and analysis on Iran's facilities and being part of a "kinetic" mission.

"Developing a picture is very different to actually participating in a strike," the source said.

"Providing intelligence and understanding as to what is happening on the ground so that the Government and allied governments are fully informed to make decisions is different to active targeting."

The top-secret Pine Gap joint defence facility in the Northern Territory is considered crucial among the so-called "Five Eyes" intelligence partners — the US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand — for its role in directing American spy satellites.

Analysts from the little-known spy agency Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation would also be expected to play a part.

Canada would be unlikely to play a role in any military action in Iran, nor would the smallest Five Eyes security partner New Zealand, sources said.

Any US-led strike on Iranian targets would be fraught for a region bristling with tensions. Israel would have reason to be anxious about retaliation, given Iran rejects Israel's right to exist.

That said, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in April invoked the so-called "Begin Doctrine" that calls on the Jewish state to ensure nations hostile to Israel be prevented from developing a nuclear weapons capability.

"Israel will not allow regimes that seek our annihilation to acquire nuclear weapons," Mr Netanyahu said.

An Australian Government source said when it came to Iran, Australia relied on intelligence sourced from its Five Eyes partners, not Israel.

Government split on whether Trump's tweets are real threats

While some in the Turnbull Government firmly believe Mr Trump is prepared to use military force against Iran, others maintain it might be more bluster, given the consequence of conflict with Tehran might include unpredictable, dangerous responses in the Middle East.

Earlier this week, Mr Trump fired off an all-caps tweet directed at the Iranian President, seemingly warning of war:

Quote :

To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!
1:24 PM - Jul 23, 2018

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-27/donald-trump-may-be-prepared-to-strike-iran-sources-say/10037728