"No Iran strike!"

Swoop:

"Alarm signals from the Middle East are a regular feature of the high summer. However, the August 4th incident between Israel and Lebanon prompted instant intervention from the top of the Administration. Secretary of State Clinton engaged rapidly with the Israeli leadership to urge calm while UN Ambassador Susan Rice took urgent action with the Security Council. US intelligence officials are worried that Israel may be looking to launch a strike deep into Lebanon. For the moment, US officials believe the threat is contained but they will remain very vigilant against the possibility of another flare-up over the coming weeks. If that happens, US diplomatic intervention to prevent a wider war will be instant. Another perennial of the summer months is speculation about a US or Israeli attack on Iran. On August 4th, President Obama briefed a small group of journalists about his hopes that it may still be possible to revive the deal to exchange nuclear fuel with Iran. This came after remarks Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, to the effect that the US has prepared a contingency plan for air strikes against Iran. Although reports of the Obama meeting differ, our understanding from contacts inside the Administration that the US leadership remains overwhelmingly opposed to military action against Iran. They are also confident that they can deter Israel from unilateral action. The rising tensions over Lebanon and the tacit Israeli deferment to the US over Iran are, however, exacting a toll on the Middle East peace process. Here, it is difficult to find any senior Administration official who believes progress is within reach. Along with increasing doubts about the way forward in Afghanistan, this adds up to a somber backdrop for Obama as he heads into his summer vacation. The weak jobs picture remains at the top of his priorities."