TheUnited States will place defensive missiles in the Persian Gulf for protectionin the event of an Iranian attack, in part to protect , according to a New York Times report.
US naval vessels will also be placed near theIranian coast, said the paper.
US officials apparently told the Timesthat the move was accelerated for fears of an Iranian response to the West’sintent to impose additional sanctions.
The officials added that the missile defensebattery is also meant for reassurance that there is no immediate need to attack the Islamic republic’s nuclearsites.