"We are entering a sustained period of intensive consultations meant to
examine the feasibility of options toward Iran," an official said. "The
focus will now be military."
"The visit reflects the unique bond shared between the IDF and the U.S.
Armed Forces," an Israeli military statement said on July 20.
Officials said the Israeli-U.S. military consultations would take up to
two weeks. After one week, Ashkenazi would be replaced by Deputy Chief of
Staff Maj. Gen. Dan Harel.
"The chief of the General Staff will conduct a work meeting with his
associate, Admiral Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs," the
statement said. "Afterwards, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi, along with his escorts,
will join Admiral Mullen for a gathering with seniors in the U.S. Armed
Forces General Staff."
Ashkenazi was also scheduled to meet senior Bush administration
officials as well leaders of Congress. Officials said meetings with Vice
President Richard Cheney and National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley have
been scheduled, and that President George Bush and Defense Secretary Robert
Gates were likely to join the sessions.
The Israeli chief of staff has been accompanied by the head of the
military's Strategic Department, Brig. Gen. Yossi Heyman. Heyman was said to
have overseen the drafting of plans of an Israeli strike option against
Iran.
In late June, Mullen spent two days in Israel, where he was briefed on
strike plans against Iran. Mullen was said to have asked for additional
options and scenarios as well as a thorough consultation with U.S. military
planners. Over the last few weeks, the admiral has warned that an attack on
Iran would destabilize
the Middle East and jeopardize the U.S. military.
"Right now I'm fighting two wars and I don't need a third one," Mullen
said in a television interview on July 20.
