Monday January 15, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

"The defence secretary, Robert Gates, told reporters that the decision to deploy a Patriot missile battalion and a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf in conjunction with a 'surge' of troops in Iraq was designed to show Iran that the US was not 'overcommitted' in Iraq.
"Speaking in Brussels after meeting Nato officials, Mr Gates said: 'We are simply reaffirming that statement of the importance of the Gulf region to the United States and our determination to be an ongoing strong presence in that area for a long time into the future.'" ...
More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,1990962,00.html