In a recent interview (09/30/06) and paper, Sam Gardiner, Colonel, USAF (Ret.) opines that Pentagon planning for war on Iran is finished and the plan has been been sent to the White House. In an interview with I.N.N. World Report (link appended) he said that while no date has yet been set, diplomatic efforts are sidelined and everything has been set in motion toward an air strike.
As the president has no consitutional authority to arbitrarily commit acts of war without congressional authorization, this implies that this action is predicated on continued republican control of the congress, or a national security crisis that forces compliance from congress, or that the intention is to proceed with total disregard for the constitution.
Gardiner further opines that nuclear weapons will be used and that the consequences of a strike will be dire, including a possible tripling of gasoline prices, widespread attacks on U.S. and Israeli assets, worldwide recession, and the ascendance of Russia as the new world superpower.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/...
See also: http://www.fas.org/...