No one is arguing that it is proven that an attack is imminent.

Then I suggest you change the title of this piece.

But clearly, the US is preparing for an attack: those carrier groups serve no useful role with respect to Iraq.

Let me repeat what I just said. You haven't placed this claim within a military context, only within the context of your political views. "A, therefore B" is not a worthy argument. Prove to me that the purpose of two carrier groups in the gulf could only be to attack Iran. Prove to me that this is unusual in a historical context of the US presence in the gulf. Prove to me that Bush's posturing is in indicator of attack when his "axis of evil" speech was given over five years ago.

you are the media you consume.