THE THREAT REMAINS: The top commander of U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf region says the threat from Iran that prompted the deployment of reinforcements to the area has not diminished.

U.S. Central Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie told reporters traveling with him to Iraq yesterday that the strong U.S. response — accelerating the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group, B-52 bombers, and Patriot missile batteries — has caused Iran to back off, but not back down. “I don’t actually believe the threat has diminished,” McKenzie said. “I believe the threat is very real.”