Russian press was abuzz today with rumors that the U.S. is planning to strike Iran on April 6. The military operation is supposedly called “Bite” and will take place at midnight or 4am, depending on what you read.
Reuters has a story in English here, and Jerusalem Post does too. Both quote Russian sources.
RIA Novosti, Russia’s state-run news service reported (Russian only) on US plans to strike Iran on March 30, citing intelligence sources and also quoting a March 21 interview with Gen. Ivashov, who is the former Chief of Staff of the Russian armed forces. Ivashov also gave a press conference on this issue on March 30 at RIA Novosti, so either the dates are mixed up or he talks a lot. (Same Ivashov who commented on China’s ASAT test in January.)
It all sounds very circular: RIA Novosti references Kommersant, Kommersant cites Debka.com, Debka.com cites “Russian intelligence circles” and so on.
The White House is categorically denying all of this. (The Prime-Tass story linked is about White House spokesman Tony Fratto’s press briefing, which will probably be up in English soon.)
But not to worry. The story already has a wikipedia page, so surely that will clarify facts and sources!