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.

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)).

Summary: 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) US military exercises in the Persian Gulf emphasize US resolve in support of the above policy. And (2) the President should require the US military to develop a comprehensive plan to augment the presence of the US 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 US military capabilities in the Central Command Area of responsibility , 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 US 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 US Armed Forces with the broadest set of geographic approaches to militarily access Iran.