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Syndicate
Netanyahu Crosses the Line - by Deepak Tripathi
http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/02/21/netanyahu-crosses-the-line/
"The Israeli government's hasty and aggressive posture following the Delhi bombing has caused offense in the Indian capital. Officials in Delhi have made plain that India will not be recruited into the anti-Iran alliance under Israeli-US pressure. India will not allow 'Washington, the Jewish lobby, and much of Europe to push the country into a corner' over Iran. How India conducts its ties with that country dating back to ancient times is its business.."
Real Cowards Go To Tehran - Pepe Escobar
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/NB22Ak04.html
"Brent Crude is hitting $121 a barrel - an eight month high. The neo-cons swore on their Bibles and Torahs there would be no oil spike. The funds Tehran is losing because of the sanctions - in terms of less exports to Europe - are being largely compensated by the oil-price spike caused by the neo-con driven warmongering.
On top of it, Tehran is bound to sell more oil to its top Asian clients - China, India, Japan and South Korea, and even Turkey, all of whom, with varing degrees of diplomacy, have told Washington to mind its own business.
Then there's the icing on the cheesecake, too delicious to pass up. Goldman Sachs has just placed Iran as one of the 'Next 11' in the developing world after the BRICS, only one among five developing nations with above average 'productivity and sustainability of growth.'
Perhaps a Persian Britney Spears should be singing 'Baby, sanction me one more time.'..."
Warships sail to Syria
By M K Bhadrakumar
A flotilla of Iranian warships crossed the Suez Canal and docked at the Syrian port of Tartus on Saturday. Iran's Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the mission displays Iran's "might" despite 30 years of relentless sanctions.
The flotilla comprised the 18th Fleet of the Iranian navy. The warships would hold exercises and will "train Syrian naval forces under an agreement signed between Tehran and Damascus one year ago".
The influential cleric and deputy chairman of the Majlis' (parliament's" National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Hossein Ebrahimi said:
The activities of the Iranian warships at Tartus (which is also used by the Russian navy) will be keenly watched by the regional countries - Turkey, Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in particular. Unconfirmed reports appeared recently that veterans of Iran's Qods Force (a special unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps) might be dispatched to Syria to assist the regime.
quote:
Egypt never allowed Iranian warships to cross the Suez until February last year following the overthrow of the Hosni Mubarak regime when, undeterred by the diplomatic pressure from the US and threatening noises from Israel, Cairo allowed an Iranian destroyer to pass through. Israel called it a "provocation".
But since then, Egypt has been in turmoil and the initial enthusiasm for normalization of ties with Tehran has somewhat waned even as Egypt became dependent on financial help from Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf.
Thus, the permission given to an entire Iranian fleet to cross the Suez last weekend signifies not only Egypt's thinking toward Iran but also the growing complexities and unpredictability of its relations with the US.....
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/NB22Ak02.html
IRAN WILL NEVER SEEK NUCLEAR WEAPONS: LEADER
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/228014.html
"There is no doubt,' the Leader said, 'that decision making establishments in countries that stand against us are quite aware that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons, since the Islamic Republic of Iran regards the possession of nuclear weapons as a great sin, in terms and thought, theory and religious edict, and also believes that holding such weapons is useless, costly and dangerous...'
EU Oil Flow Conditional On Payment Guarantee: Iran
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/227886.html
Foreign Ministry spokesman says Iran will only continue exporting oil to the EU if the member states give guarantees to pay the price and sign medium and long term oil purchase contracts.."
Oil Prices Jump in Global Markets Over Warning by Iran
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/227972.html
"Global oil prices continue their upward spiral, climbing to their highest levels in nine months over Iran's warning that it may cut off oil exports to more European countries..."
They don't need them really.
They have medium range GPS guided conventional weapons that can reach Isreal, who have plenty of nuke material.
NH
The Crazy Rush to Attack Iran
The Daily Beast By Peter Beinart | The Daily Beast – Tue, Feb 21, 2012
http://news.yahoo.com/crazy-rush-attack-iran-094500024.html
I agree entirely. Iran now possesses a conventional deterrent to Israel with its GPS-guided medium range missiles. THAT is the problem for USRAEL:
Behind the Deepening Crisis With Iran: The Real Story Versus The Cover Story - by Mark H Gaffney
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30606.htm
The problem with that logic is, as I have suggested before: should Iran attempt to defend itself by retaliating in kind (ie. a conventional weapons ATTEMPTED attack on Israeli nuclear facilities, it would mean an all out nuclear obliteration of Iran, justified in Israel as an "existential threat" . Such a probable outcome would likely (but not assuredly) prevent Iran from attempting to retaliate in kind.
This would not be symmetrical warfare.
It is as you say but still one would think a powerful disincentive for an attack on Iran, just the same...
Iran To Hold More Talks with IAEA on Nuclear Energy Program
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/227935.html
"Iran's ambassador to IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh says the country will hold further talks with the agency over its nuclear energy program. Sotanieh said on Tuesday that a second round of talks in Tehran between Iranian officials and delegates from the body had ended. The Iranian envoy said the talks had covered cooperation and mutual understanding between the Islamic Republic and the IAEA."
Iran - Thai Bomb Blast Update - by Tony Cartalucci
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2012/02/iran-thai-bomb-blast-update.html
"...What appears to have taken place in Bangkok, and what appears to be the case unfolding in India and Georgia as well, was a false flag operation carried out by Mossad and Farsi-speaking MEK, agents posing as Iranian Quds operatives who approached potential patsies. These patsies were trained and provided with faulty equipment to carry out these attacks.
After making their respective failed attempts, the patsies would incriminate themselves and Tehran by attempting to return to Iran, or confess upon capture and interrogation that they were working for those they believed to be Quds operatives.
Predictable, improbable and factually deficient conclusion made by US-run Thai administration."
Iran Holds Air Defense Drills As IAEA Says Iran Blocking Access To Key Nuclear Site
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/iran-holds-air-defense-drills-iaea-says-ir...
"The escalation 'ball' is now in the Western court. And if Iraq was any indication, after IAEA talks 'failure' (no matter how grossly manipulated by the media), the aftermath is usually one and the same..."
Iran's Food Supply Gets Pinched
http://www.piie.com/blogs/?p=2698
"Sanctions hit food imports first.."
The US Funds and Supplies Iran's Nuclear Program (vid)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkkEIlJ0Y10&feature=player_embedded#1
Nuclear Threat is from Israel NOT Iran (vid)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39GQD9CL1PQ&feature=related
The 10 Most Excellent Reasons to Attack Iran
It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.
Iran Holds Up Access To Parchin For Better IAEA Deal - by Gareth Porter (IPS)
http://warisacrime.org/content/iran-holds-access-parchin-better-iaea-deal
"..the history of Iranian cooperation with the IAEA and carrying out inspections at the Parchin military testing centre, as well as a previous IAEA-Iran work programme agreement, suggests that Iran is keeping permission for such a visit as bargaining leverage to negotiate a better deal with the agency..."
'West Seeks Pressure on Iran, Syria' (and vid)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/228281.html
"A noteworthy author says that pro-Israeli US politicians favour starting a war with Iran, first by seeking to destabilize Syria's Assad government.."
Iran War Fear To Set Oil Market On Fire: US Energy Experts
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/228254.html
"US energy experts say the escalation of tensions between the US and Iran will prompt a rise in the price of gasoline in the US, stating that a primary 30 - cent increase per gallon will be just the beginning for future price hikes."
'US, EU No Longer Able To Push People of Middle East' (and vid)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/228345.html
"...the United States and some European nations seem to be ignorant of the basic principles of supply and demand.."
Obama Blames Rising Gas Prices on West's Tension with Iran
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/228343.html
"...Republicans have made rising gas prices one of their main attack lines against Obama as there is less than 9 months before the US Presidential elections. The US gasoline prices have jumped nearly 9 cents in the past week to an average of USD $3.61 a gallon and are expected to go even higher."
Iran Denies Greece Major Oil Shipment
http://rt.com/news/iran-oil-ban-greece-247/
"Iran has denied shipment of crude oil to Greece, following similar moves against Britain and France. The moves are pre-emptive to a set of sanctions imposed by the EU.."
'Iranian Oil - Not Nukes - Bothers the West' (and vid)
http://rt.com/news/independent-oil-west-iran-229/
"Conn Hallinan, a columnist at the Foreign Policy in Focus magazine, says the West's concern over Iran's nuclear program is merely a pretext to take control of its vast energy resources.."
'Access To Parchin Contingent on Pact that Addresses Mutual Concerns'
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/228670.html
"In response to a question on why Iran refused the IAEA inspectors access to Parchin, Soltanieh clarified that the agency's request to visit the site does not fall within Iran's legal obligations with respect to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Iran's ambassador to the IAEA says Iran will agree to a request by the agency to visit the country's Parchin site only if a framework that addresses the concerns of both parties is established.."
'The US Has The Moral Authority to Annihilate Iran Because They're Evil' (and vid)
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2012/02/popular-media-personality-the-u-s...
'Tucker Carlson says that the US has the moral authority to annihilate Iran because they're evil.."
Who cares what Tucker Carlson thinks...
Because he's not the only one who thinks such things...the majority of Americans apparently have been made to believe that Iran already has a nuclear weapon. It's important when someone with profile says such things. It manufactures consent for the evil fascist warlords who run USA to mount such awful wars such as the one they are obviously preparing for against Iran.
.
He tries to clarify in an e-mail exchange with Glenn Greenwald:
http://ggdrafts.blogspot.com/2012/02/email-exchange-with-tucker-carlson.html
It's my fault that I got tongue tied and didn't explain myself well last night. I'm actually on the opposite side on the Iran question from many people I otherwise agree with. I think attacking could be a disaster for the US and am worried that Obama will do it, for fear of seeming weak before an election. Of course the Iranian government is awful and deserves to be crushed. But I'm not persuaded we or Israel could do it in a way that doesn't cause even greater problems. That's the main lesson of Iraq it seems to me.
That's my sincere view, but I'd rather take some lumps and be misunderstood than seem like I'm reversing myself due to pressure from Twitter.
Here are the results for polling in the US about Iran:
http://www.pollingreport.com/iran.htm
"Do you think Iran has nuclear weapons or not? ; Currently has: 71% (CNN)"
Tehran Not Ruling Out Access to Military Sites - Iran Nuclear Envoy IAEA (and vid)
http://rt.com/news/iran-iaea-access-site-339/
"Ali Asghar Soltani says the real aim of the meeting was 'to discuss the reality and framework for our future work'"
Israel Will Strike Iran Without Warning: US Intelligence
http://rt.com/news/israel-iran-us-dark-351/
"Israeli officials say if they decide to launch a pre-emptive attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, they will do so without the prior consent or knowledge of the US according to an AP report citing leaked US intelligence.."
and USRAEL must think our own intelligence has 'leaked' if they expect us to believe that..
Iran Moves To End Petrodollar
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30672.htm
"Iran will take payment from its trading partners in gold instead of dollars."
Gen. McCaffrey Privately Briefs NBC Execs on War With Iran - by Glenn Greenwald
http://www.salon.com/2012/02/28/gen_mccaffrey_privately_briefs_nbc_execs...
"On Jan 12, 2012, McCaffrey presented a seminar to roughly 20 NBC executives and producers - including NBC News President Steve Capus - entitled 'Iran, Nukes and Oil: The Gulf Confrontation'. We've obtained the power-point document...in it he all but predicts war with Iran within the next 90 days.."
War with Iran is simply part of Obomba's re-election campaign strategy.
In Ottawa Visit Netanyahu Will Seek Backing for Strike on Iran
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/in-ottawa-visit-netanyahu-w...
"...Mr Netanyahu made the purpose of his trip clear on Monday when he said that in both meetings with Mr Obama and Mr Harper, Iran's nuclear program will be at the centre of our talks.' Ottawa could be his first platform in a North American campaign to gain some international backing for an early strike. If Mr Netanyahu is true to past form, that effort could see him appeal over Mr Obama's head to American public opinion in an election year..."
Ex Israeli Security Officer Praises Harper Stance on Iran
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/02/24/pol-cp-harper-iran.html
"Israel's former national security advisor, also a seasoned ex-spy, says Stephen Harper's assessment is 'eloquent' said Uzi Arad, a former national security adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a member of Mossad, the country's intelligence service for 22 years prior to that.
'I thought that he, at the same time, took the high moral ground as well as the perceptive strategic view of the matter. This is my humble reaction to the leader of a great nation,' Arad told the Canadian Press Thursday.
Arad said any military attack on Iran would be a 'surgical business' far less complicated than the attempts at regime change and democracy building in Afghanistan and Iraq.
'That is a job that can be done efficiently and effectively with no collateral damage,' he said..."
Oh really...?
And you base this on?