text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
  
      (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Credible Military 
  Option to Counter Iran Act''.
      (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
  follows:
  
  Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
  Sec. 2. Declaration of policy.
  Sec. 3. United States military preparedness in the Middle East.
  Sec. 4. United States military capabilities in the Central Command Area 
                              of Responsibility.
  Sec. 5. Enhancing the defense of Israel and United States interests in 
                              the Middle East.
  Sec. 6. Plan to enhance military capabilities of Persian Gulf allies.
  Sec. 7. Plan to increase strategic regional partnerships.
  Sec. 8. Definitions.
  
  SEC. 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY.
  
      (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
              (1) Iran, which has long sought to foment instability and 
          promote extremism in the Middle East, is now seeking to exploit 
          the dramatic political transition underway in the region to 
          undermine governments traditionally aligned with the United 
          States and support extremist political movements in these 
          countries.
              (2) At the same time, Iran may soon attain a nuclear 
          weapons capability, a development that would fundamentally 
          threaten vital United States interests, destabilize the region, 
          encourage regional nuclear proliferation, further empower and 
          embolden Iran, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, 
          and provide it the tools to threaten its neighbors, including 
          Israel.
              (3) With the assistance of Iran over the past several 
          years, Syria, Hezbollah, and Hamas have increased their 
          stockpiles of rockets, with more than 60,000 rockets now ready 
          to be fired at Israel. Iran continues to add to its arsenal of 
          ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, which threaten Iran's 
          neighbors, Israel, and United States Armed Forces in the 
          region.
              (4) Preventing Iran from achieving nuclear weapons 
          capability is among the most urgent national security 
          challenges facing the United States.
              (5) Successive United States administrations have stated 
          that a nuclear weapons-possessing Iran is unacceptable.
              (6) President Obama stated on January 24, 2012, ``Let there 
          be no doubt: America is determined to prevent Iran from getting 
          a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to 
          achieve that goal.''.
              (7) In order to prevent Iran from developing nuclear 
          weapons, the United States, in cooperation with its allies, 
          must utilize all elements of national power including 
          diplomacy, robust economic sanctions, and credible, visible 
          preparations for a military option.
              (8) Nevertheless, to date, diplomatic overtures, sanctions, 
          and other non-kinetic actions toward Iran have not caused the 
          Government of Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
              (9) With the impact of additional sanctions uncertain, 
          additional pressure on the Government of Iran could come from 
          the credible threat of military action against Iran's nuclear 
          program.
      (b) Declaration of Policy.--It shall be the policy of the United 
  States to take all necessary measures, including military action if 
  required, to prevent Iran from threatening the United States, its 
  allies, or Iran's neighbors with a nuclear weapon.
  
  SEC. 3. UNITED STATES MILITARY PREPAREDNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
  
      (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
              (1) military exercises conducted in the Persian Gulf and 
          Gulf of Oman emphasize the United States resolve and the policy 
          of the United States described in section 2(b) by enhancing the 
          readiness of the United States military and allied forces, as 
          well as signaling to the Government of Iran the commitment of 
          the United States to defend its vital national security 
          interests; and
              (2) the President, as Commander in Chief, should require 
          the United States military to develop a comprehensive plan to 
          augment the presence of the United States Fifth Fleet in the 
          Middle East and to conduct military deployments, exercises, or 
          other visible, concrete military readiness activities to 
          underscore the policy of the United States described in section 
          2(b).
      (b) Plan.--
              (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall prepare a 
          plan to augment the presence of the United States Fifth Fleet 
          in the Middle East and to conduct military deployments, 
          exercises, or other visible, concrete military readiness 
          activities to underscore the policy of the United States 
          described in section 2(b).
              (2) Matters to be included.--The plan required under 
          paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum, steps necessary to 
          support the policy of the United States described in section 
          2(b), including--
                      (A) pre-positioning sufficient supplies of 
                  aircraft, munitions, fuel, and other materials for both 
                  air- and sea-based missions at key forward locations in 
                  the Middle East and Indian Ocean;
                      (B) maintaining sufficient naval assets in the 
                  region necessary to signal United States resolve and to 
                  bolster United States capabilities to launch a 
                  sustained sea and air campaign against a range of 
                  Iranian nuclear and military targets, to protect 
                  seaborne shipping, and to deny Iranian retaliation 
                  against United States interests in the region;
                      (C) discussing the viability of deploying at least 
                  two United States aircraft carriers, an additional 
                  large deck amphibious ship, and a Mine Countermeasures 
                  Squadron in the region on a continual basis, in support 
                  of the actions described in subparagraph (B); and
                      (D) conducting naval fleet exercises similar to the 
                  United States Fifth Fleet's major exercise in the 
                  region in March 2007 to demonstrate ability to keep the 
                  Strait of Hormuz open and to counter the use of anti-
                  ship missiles and swarming high-speed boats.
              (3) Submission to congress.--The plan required under 
          paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the congressional defense 
          committees not later than 120 days after the date of enactment 
          of this Act.
  
  SEC. 4. UNITED STATES MILITARY CAPABILITIES IN THE CENTRAL COMMAND AREA 
                OF RESPONSIBILITY.
  
      (a) Authorization of Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012.--In order 
  to enhance United States military capabilities in the Central Command 
  Area of Responsibility, funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated 
  for fiscal year 2012 as follows:
              (1) $80,000,000 for Other Procurement, Navy to be available 
          for MK 38 Mod 2 machine gun system for Coastal Patrol Craft.
              (2) $44,600,000 for Weapons Procurement, Navy to be 
          available for--
                      (A) Griffin missile for Coastal Patrol Craft; and
                      (B) Spike shoulder-fired electro-optic weapon.
              (3) $72,481,000 for Research, Development, Test and 
          Evaluation, Navy to be available for--
                      (A) Program Element 0205601N for digital rocket 
                  launchers;
                      (B) Beyond line of sight command and control 
                  architecture; and
                      (C) MAGIC VIEW.
              (4) $134,552,000 for Research, Development, Test and 
          Evaluation, Air Force to be available for Hard and Deeply 
          Buried Target Defeat System Program, Program Element 0604327F.
              (5) $7,000,000 for Research, Development, Test and 
          Evaluation, Defense-Wide to be available for--
                      (A) Indications and Warning; and
                      (B) Systems Performance.
              (6) $14,000,000 for Operation and Maintenance, Navy to be 
          available for Scan Eagle.
              (7) $2,000,000 for Operation and Maintenance, Air Force to 
          be available for tactics development and evaluation.
      (b) Authorization of Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2013.--In order 
  to enhance United States military capabilities in the Central Command 
  Area of Responsibility, funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated 
  for fiscal year 2013 as follows:
              (1) $22,654,000 for Other Procurement, Navy to be available 
          for--
                      (A) Underwater Explosive Ordnance Disposal 
                  Programs;
                      (B) Naval Military Intelligence Program Support 
                  Equipment; and
                      (C) MK 38 Mod 2 machine gun system for Coastal 
                  Patrol Craft.
              (2) $31,000,000 for Weapons Procurement, Navy to be 
          available for--
                      (A) Griffin missile for Coastal Patrol Craft; and
                      (B) Spike shoulder-fired electro-optic weapon.
              (3) $72,481,000 for Research, Development, Test and 
          Evaluation, Army to be available for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 
          Detection and Tracking.
              (4) $72,481,000 for Research, Development, Test and 
          Evaluation, Navy to be available for--
                      (A) Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Development, 
                  Program Element 0603654N;
                      (B) Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile in 
                  Program Element 0205601N; and
                      (C) Integrated, Fixed Surveillance System, Program 
                  Element 0204311N.
              (5) $72,481,000 for Research, Development, Test and 
          Evaluation, Air Force to be available for Cyber Command 
          Activities within Program Element 0208059F.
  
  SEC. 5. ENHANCING THE DEFENSE OF ISRAEL AND UNITED STATES INTERESTS IN 
                THE MIDDLE EAST.
  
      (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United 
  States should take the following actions to assist in the defense of 
  Israel:
              (1) Provide Israel such support as may be necessary to 
          increase development and production of joint missile defense 
          systems, particularly such systems that defend the urgent 
          threat posed to Israel and United States forces in the region.
              (2) Provide Israel defense articles, intelligence, and 
          defense services through such mechanisms as appropriate, to 
          include air refueling tankers, missile defense capabilities, 
          and specialized munitions.
              (3) Allocate additional weaponry and munitions for the 
          forward-deployed United States stockpile in Israel.
              (4) Provide Israel additional surplus defense articles and 
          defense services, as appropriate, in the wake of the withdrawal 
          of United States forces from Iraq.
              (5) Offer the Israeli Air Force additional training and 
          exercise opportunities in the United States to compensate for 
          Israel's limited air space.
              (6) Expand Israel's authority to make purchases under 
          section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (relating to the 
          ``Foreign Military Financing'' program) on a commercial basis.
              (7) Seek to enhance the capabilities of the United States 
          and Israel to address emerging common threats, increase 
          security cooperation, and expand joint military exercises.
              (8) Encourage an expanded role for Israel within the North 
          Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), including an enhanced 
          presence at NATO headquarters and exercises.
              (9) Support extension of the long-standing loan guarantee 
          program for Israel, recognizing Israel's unbroken record of 
          repaying its loans on time and in full.
              (10) Expand already-close intelligence cooperation, 
          including satellite intelligence, with Israel.
      (b) Report on Israel's Qualitative Military Edge.--
              (1) Statement of policy.--It is the policy of the United 
          States--
                      (A) to help Israel preserve its qualitative 
                  military edge amid rapid and uncertain regional 
                  political transformation; and
                      (B) to encourage further development of advanced 
                  technology programs between the United States and 
                  Israel in light of current trends and instability in 
                  the region.
              (2) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
          enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the 
          appropriate congressional committees a report on the status of 
          Israel's qualitative military edge in light of current trends 
          and instability in the region.
      (c) Report on Other Matters.--Not later than 180 days after the 
  date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the 
  appropriate congressional committees a report on each of the following:
              (1) Taking into account Israel's urgent requirement for F-
          35 aircraft, actions to improve the process relating to 
          Israel's purchase of F-35 aircraft to improve cost efficiency 
          and timely delivery.
              (2) Efforts to expand cooperation between the United States 
          and Israel in homeland defense, counter-terrorism, maritime 
          security, cybersecurity, and other appropriate areas.
              (3) Actions to integrate Israel into the defense of the 
          Eastern Mediterranean.
  
  SEC. 6. PLAN TO ENHANCE MILITARY CAPABILITIES OF PERSIAN GULF ALLIES.
  
      (a) Plan.--The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the 
  Secretary of State, shall develop a plan to enhance the military 
  capabilities of Persian Gulf allies to bolster the posture of such 
  allies in relation to Iran.
      (b) Matters To Be Included.--The plan required under subsection (a) 
  shall include the following:
              (1) A description of the means to augment the offensive 
          strike capabilities of key Gulf Cooperation Council allies, 
          including the potential sale or upgrades of strike attack 
          aircraft and bunker buster munitions, to augment the viability 
          of a credible military option and to strengthen such allies' 
          self-defense capabilities against retaliation or military 
          aggression by Iran.
              (2) A needs-based assessment, or an update to an existing 
          needs-based assessment, of the military requirements of Persian 
          Gulf allies to support a credible military option and to defend 
          against potential military aggression by Iran.
              (3) A detailed summary of any arms sales and training 
          requests by Persian Gulf allies and a description and 
          justification for United States actions taken.
      (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in the plan required under 
  subsection (a) shall be construed to alter Israel's qualitative 
  military edge.
      (d) Submission to Congress.--The plan required under subsection (a) 
  shall be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees not 
  later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
      (e) Form.--The plan required under subsection (a) shall be 
  submitted in an unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
  
  SEC. 7. PLAN TO INCREASE STRATEGIC REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS.
  
      (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
              (1) The United States should ensure that it has the 
          broadest set of geographic approaches to militarily access 
          Iran.
              (2) United States Armed Forces and support staff currently 
          have access from the eastern, southern, and western borders of 
          Iran.
              (3) Azerbaijan borders the northern frontier of Iran 
          closest to nuclear sites near Tehran and the Government of 
          Azerbaijan cooperates with the United States on Caspian Sea 
          security and energy issues.
      (b) Policy.--It shall be the policy of the United States to--
              (1) increase pressure on Iran by providing United States 
          Armed Forces with the broadest set of geographic approaches to 
          militarily access Iran; and
              (2) explore means to enhance access to military facilities 
          on the northern border of Iran.
      (c) Plan.--
              (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, in consultation 
          with the Secretary of State, shall develop a plan to increase 
          the strategic partnership with regional allies to provide 
          United States Armed Forces with the broadest set of geographic 
          approaches to militarily access Iran.
              (2) Matters to be included.--The plan required under 
          paragraph (1) shall include the following information:
                      (A) Mechanisms to broaden the geographical 
                  approaches to militarily access Iran.
                      (B) The need, if any, to strengthen the self-
                  defense capabilities of regional allies as a result of 
                  such partnerships.
                      (C) The viability of increasing access for United 
                  States Armed Forces to bases in Azerbaijan to augment 
                  the viability of a credible military option.
              (3) Submission to congress.--The plan required under 
          paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the appropriate 
          congressional committees not later than 180 days after the date 
          of the enactment of this Act.
  
  SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
  
      In this Act:
              (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
          ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                      (A) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee 
                  on Armed Services, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
                  of the House of Representatives; and
                      (B) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee 
                  on Armed Services, and the Committee on Foreign 
                  Relations of the Senate.
              (2) Congressional defense committees.--The term 
          ``congressional defense committees'' has the meaning given that 
          term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code.
              (3) Qualitative military edge.--The term ``qualitative 
          military edge'' has the meaning given the term in section 
          36(h)(2) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2776(h)(2)).
target: Credible Military Option to Counter Iran Act - States that it shall be the policy of the United States to take all necessary measures, including military action if required, to prevent Iran from threatening the United States, its allies, or Iran's neighbors with a nuclear weapon.
  
  Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) U.S. military exercises in the Persian Gulf emphasize U.S. resolve in support of the above policy; and (2) the President should require the U.S. military to develop a comprehensive plan to augment the presence of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Middle East and to conduct military deployments, exercises, or other military readiness activities to underscore such policy. Directs the Secretary of Defense to prepare and submit to the congressional defense committees such a plan.
  
  Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2012-FY2013 to enhance U.S. military capabilities in the Central Command Area of responsibility (Middle East), including for procurement, research and development, and operation and maintenance.
  
  Expresses the sense of Congress in support of specified action to assist in the defense of Israel, including joint missile defense systems, defense articles, intelligence, defense services, and additional weaponry and munitions for the forward-deployed U.S. stockpile in Israel. Directs the President to report to Congress on the status of Israel's qualitative military edge in light of current trends and instability in the region.
  
  Directs the Secretary to develop and submit to Congress: (1) a plan to enhance the military capabilities of Persian Gulf allies to bolster their posture in relation to Iran, and (2) a plan to increase the strategic partnership with regional allies to provide U.S. Armed Forces with the broadest set of geographic approaches to militarily access Iran.
feat_title: To further the preparedness of the United States Armed Forces, in cooperation with regional allies, to prevent the Government of Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and for other purposes.