Report: White House scrapped CentCom's request for third carrier group off Iran coast

The military commander for the Middle East theater and President Obama don't see eye to eye when it comes to Iranian policy, the Daily Beast reports, with the White House scrapping CentCom chief James Mattis's proposal to send a third carrier group to the Persian Gulf.

The request was meant to deter Iran from ramping up tensions at a time when it was threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for international sanctions spearheaded by the United States. Mattis has said the three top concerns in his 20-country zone of responsibility are “Iran, Iran and Iran,” but the Obama administration wants to free up resources to refocus on Asia and the Pacific.

The latest revelation comes as the United States and five other countries are due to meet with Iranian officials in Baghdad this Wednesday to renew negotiations over the country's alleged nuclear weapons program.The White House is hopeful that its sanctions against Iran are working, but Mattis has said he's doubtful the Iranians have stopped pursuing nuclear weapons.

---