The United States has indirectly informed Iran [1], via two European nations, that it would not back an Israeli strike against the country's nuclear facilities [2], as long as Tehran refrains from attacking American interests in the Persian Gulf [3], Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday. According to the report, Washington used covert back-channels in Europe to clarify that the US does not intend to back Israel [4] in a strike that may spark a regional conflict. n return, Washington reportedly expects Iran to steer clear of strategic American assets in the Persian Gulf, such as military bases and aircraft carriers [5]. >>>
In US wargames exercises to simulate what would happen in the Persian Gulf in the event of a war, with Iran's current technology, the US lost 16 vessels. It's 2012 not 1982.
Has the US cut Israel loose? I doubt it. If things start going badly for Israel it will likely intervene, but try to bluff Iran into avoiding attacking back for as long as possible.
Links:
[1] //www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4276251,00.html
[2] //www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4266931,00.html
[3] //www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4180124,00.html
[4] //www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4275953,00.html
[5] //www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4214150,00.html