Senate floats bill supporting Israel if it is 'compelled to take military action in self-defense' against Iran

(WJD) The U.S. Senate floated a bill on Friday that pledges unequivocal support for Israel should it undertake a defensive military operation against Iran.

The bill is couched in relatively vague language, and its sponsors are careful to say that it does not constitute an endorsement of an Israeli attack on the Islamic republic. Nonetheless, the timing and intentions of the resolution seem clear.

The bill states that should the Jewish state "take military action in self-defense," the U.S. "should stand with Israel and provide diplomatic, military and economic support."

Lindsay Graham, one of the bill's sponsors, pointed directly to Iran, telling the press, "No one wants another conflict anywhere in the world militarily, but we also don’t want a nuclear-capable Iran."

The bill is clearly intended to coincide with president Obama's upcoming visit to Israel, during which it is widely expected that the Iran issue will be a major topic of discussion between Obama and prime minister Netanyahu.