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U.S. Forces Placed on Threat Condition Delta

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CARL ROCHELLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Carl Rochelle at the Pentagon.

Officials say that U.S. forces in Bahrain and Qatar in the Persian Gulf and in Turkey have been put on the highest state of alert because of threats against U.S. citizens, troops and interests that are believed to be credible. U.S. forces in the three countries are now at threat condition delta, which is the highest state of alert. That is equal to a wartime footing. Delta is normally reserved for situations where attack is believed to be imminent.

Now, officials say the threats are believed at this time to be linked to associates of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. Officials who spoke on conditions of anonymity said Pentagon planners are looking at the option of a pre-emptive strike against bin Laden's organization if -- and we repeat if -- a firm link can be established and if it determined that such a could be effective in disrupting the ability to attack U.S. forces in the area.

An official also pointed out that that option has been being looked at since the bombing, the apparent bombing of the USS Cole.

I'm Carl Rochelle, CNN, at the Pentagon. Now back to "CROSSFIRE" after these messages.

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