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These military officials would be dispatched to nations in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Horn of Africa as well as Iran on intelligence gathering assignments, 'The New York Times' reported.
Citing unnamed officials, it said the order permitting reconnaissance could pave the way for possible military strikes in Iran if tensions over its nuclear ambitions escalate.
The document appeared to authorise specific operations in Iran, most likely to gather intelligence about the country's nuclear programme or identify dissident groups that might be useful for a future military offensive, according to the daily.
"The Obama administration insists that for the moment, it is committed to penalising Iran for its nuclear activities only with diplomatic and economic sanctions," the newspaper said.
"Nevertheless, the Pentagon has to draw up detailed war plans to be prepared in advance, in the event that President (Barack) Obama ever authorises a strike."
The Defence Department "can't be caught flat-footed," said one Pentagon official.
The daily noted that while the previous Bush administration had approved some clandestine military activities, the present directive intended to make such efforts more systematic and long term.
Its goals are to build networks that could "penetrate, disrupt, defeat or destroy" al-Qaeda and other militant groups, as well as to "prepare the environment" for future attacks by American or local military forces, the document, which was viewed by the paper, said.
"The order, however, does not appear to authorise offensive strikes in any specific countries," it said.
The daily reported that one of the reasons for broadening the secret activities was because the US military wanted to break its dependence on the CIA and other spy agencies.
Some officials, however, noted that the authorised activities could strain relationships with friendly governments like Saudi Arabia or Yemen, or incite the anger of hostile nations like Iran and Syria.
The directive, the Joint Unconventional Warfare Task Force Execute Order, was signed on September 30 last year, and reportedly may have been the cause for surge of US military activity in Yemen that began three months later.
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It will be a disgrace to U.S and particularly President Obama, if any idea is mooted to strike Iran just because there iare certain issues in the LEU swap with Turkey under the guidance of Brazil. Iran still may have certain undisclosed grievances for not maintaing complete transparancy. It may also have aong felt desire to simultaneously pursue enrichment in a small way taking into account the threat from Isreal. The Nobel Laureate should first do his best the regional CBMs in the middle east and win the world
It will be suicidal for USA and such acts are proof of USA sinister design and that it is the country with it alliances is involved in terrorist activities. Sending troops to overthrow the elected governments is clearly an act of terrorism and therefore stringent sacntions should be imposed on USA. It is reported that Israel had signed a secret agreement with the South African aparthied regime for supplying the nuclear weapons, hwoever, the greatest terrorist USA will not act against its illegitimate child (Israel) as Israel was created with the sole objective to check Arabs and to use it as a threat to all Arab nations. Sending army for secret missions in Iran is also a clear sign that USA is scared of Iran's might. US should remember that Iran is not Afghanistan or Iraq, any misadventure(s) by USA will be backfired and US will repent for ages for its misadventures. The wounds which Iran will give USA will never dried up and USA will be a history for its misadventures.
What a stupid move by the Americans to do this! So what happens when US special forces are captured by Iran? Do the Americans really think that they will just release them? The Iranians will show the world that the Americans have no respect for sovereign territory and are willing to commit what is a blatant act of war. Now that the Iranians are forewarned of American plans, they should capture those soldiers, try them as spies and execute them - no trades, no negotiations with the Americans - NOTHING! That might make those Americans think twice about doing that again.