On the defensive side of trading the 42.5 and 45.0 strikes were heaviest traded in July and August earlier in the session.

FORBES: Magazine Article

But Turkey allowed the missile batteries to be placed there only for defensive purposes, and NATO nations would have to agree before they could be used for offensive strikes against Syria.

CNN: Sarin in Syria: What's the United States' next move?

At a White House meeting with Cheney this summer, according to a former senior intelligence official, it was agreed that, if limited strikes on Iran were carried out, the Administration could fend off criticism by arguing that they were a defensive action to save soldiers in Iraq.

NEWYORKER: Shifting Targets