So far President Barack Obama has played softball with Iran, expressing a desire to discuss its formerly secret nuclear facilities and present nuclear ambitions, and Iran has refused. Obama wants Russia to issue tougher sanctions against the rogue state, and the former Soviet Union has refused. Now, the president is increasing land- and sea-based missile defense systems in the Persian Gulf to protect allies against the Iranian threat.

In his recent State of the Union speech, Obama said his "diplomatic efforts…strengthened our hand in dealing" with countries like Iran and North Korea. He said both countries are now more isolated because of their defiance and promised they would "face growing consequences." Are new defenses in the Gulf part of that promise?

According to the New York Times, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait have accepted the missile defense systems. Last month U.S. General David Petraeus said, "Iran is clearly seen as a very serious threat by those on the other side of the gulf front." He said the buildup in the Gulf includes eight Patriot missile batteries. Last week we blogged about Poland's plans to deploy Patriot missiles and install a missile defense base with several launch pads. The base will be manned by around 100 U.S. troops.

Petraeus said Aegis cruisers with advanced radar and antimissile systems to intercept medium-range missiles are patrolling the Persian Gulf. This reflects Obama's focus on Iran's shorter- and medium-range missiles. Last year he canceled Bush-era agreements to deploy missile defense systems to Poland and the Czech Republic. He doesn't believe Iran is capable of launching a long-range missile with a nuclear warhead.

The administration is playing up the "defense" part of the Persian Gulf missile buildup, but it's doubtful Iran cares about the nature of the system. Missiles are missiles, and the activity in the Persian Gulf will be seen for what it is: a warning. Will Iran heed it?