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The United States is mulling a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities in 2006 and has informed North Atalantic Treaty Organisation member states to make similar preparations, a report claimed Sunday.
Military action against Tehran to foil its nuclear ambitions is one among several options being considered by NATO members, military intelligence officials familiar with the Iran file told German daily Der Spiegel.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Oman are also being updated with the plan, with American officials saying a military operation is "a possible option", without giving a timetable, Ynetnews reported citing the report.
Der Spiegel reported that Central Intelligence Agency head Porter Goss asked Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his latest visit that Ankara allow the US to use its military bases in the country for an air strike on Iran planned for 2006.
"What's new about these reports is that the United States seems to be sending top envoys to ally countries in preparation for an attack. It is no longer a matter of hints we heard over 2005," the German daily was quoted as saying.
The daily also quoted a New York Times report last year saying that US commando units have already infiltrated Iran to mark nuclear facilities for a possible strike.