Report: Iran satellite was overreaction

JERUSALEM, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Sources told Israel's DEBKAfiles Web site that Iran's recent attempt to launch a satellite into space may have been the result of misconstrued warnings not to.

According to the Web site, Iran decided it was facing an imminent attack by the United States after Egypt and Saudi Arabia cautioned Tehran that the rocket launch could provide justification for such an attack.

Sunday's launch of a Safir rocket was seen in the west as Iran's warning that it had the capability to hit Europe with a ballistic missile.

DEBKAfiles said Tuesday an Arabic newspaper in London, in fact, said Iran should heed the example of Iraq's Saddam Hussein "who didn't adequately refute claims over Iraq's supposed weapons of mass destruction."

The regional tensions were ratcheted higher last week as the U.S. Navy reinforced its fleet in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea with the arrival of a third aircraft carrier battle group and a second Marine amphibious unit.