The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
May 6, 2019

John Bolton: U.S. Deploying Warships to Send "Message" to Iran
--------------------------------------------------------------

In a dramatic escalation of threats against Iran, National Security
Adviser John Bolton has announced the U.S. is deploying a carrier strike
group and a bomber task force to the region to "send a clear and
unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attacks on United
States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting
force."

CNN is reporting that U.S. officials clarified Bolton's remarks were
meant as a deterrent, rather than a response to any imminent threat by
Iran. Many commentators also pointed to the fact that the U.S. regularly
deploys warships to the region, and that Bolton's press release was
likely intended as another public provocation against Iran. The Trump
administration has been ratcheting up pressure against the nation
following its withdrawal from the landmark Iran nuclear deal last year.
Last month, the U.S. designated Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard as a
terrorist organization. The Trump administration also said it will end a
waiver program that allowed some nations to circumvent U.S. sanctions
and continue buying Iranian oil without suffering penalties.


.