American news services report, in the name of U.S. Defense Department (Pentagon) sources, that Iraq may launch a pre-emptive missile strike at Israel. American intelligence has detected Iraqi transfers of Scud missiles to areas within range of Israel, according to the reports. It is said that Saddam Hussein may strike against Israel and against American forces in the Persian Gulf if he reaches the conclusion that an American assault is inevitable. It has further been reported that Iraq has mined its oil fields.