Newspaper Web sites around the world are rife with rumors of new aggression in the Persian Gulf.

Russia’s national news agency say U.S. military exercises in there are not just a show of strength, but also a warmup for an April 6 attack on Iranian nuclear sites, and that U.S. naval forces in the Gulf match levels prior to the Iraq invasion.

The Israeli Web site DEBKA quotes “Arab sources” who say that Bahrain is being used as a staging ground for Patriot anti- missile units, hotels there are filling up with U.S. military personnel, reporters are arriving in “packs,” and that American businesses are being advised to leave the country.

Some rumors claim that the attack will be a joint operation with Israel, and will also target Syria and Hezbollah.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said no such plans are in the works.

Sources:

Google News Keyphrase Search: “Iran Attack”

“U.S. to attack Iran by end of April: Report”
The Times of India, April 4, 2007

“U.S. ready to strike Iran in early April – intelligence source”
RIA Novosti (Russia), March 30, 2007

“U.S. financial sources in Bahrain report American investors in Bahrain advised to pack up business operations and leave”
DEBKA (Israel), March 30, 2007

“Israel nixes Iran attack reports”
JTA.org, April 2, 2006