Just days ahead of the talks between the six world powers and Iran over the latter’s nuclear program, reports say Washington is “radiating optimism” with expectations of a peaceful nuclear deal and a “warming of relations” with Tehran.
One of the developments making a U.S. or Israeli attack less likely and a peaceful deal more likely was the announcement of a surprise visit this week to Tehran by the IAEA chief Yukiya Amano. This was perceived as a sign that Iran was beginning to acquiesce in the IAEA demands to inspect the Parchin military site, despite there being no enrichment at the facility.
Parchin received a considerable amount of attention and war propaganda, but it seemed to be the West’s and the IAEA final area of concern regarding the nature of Iran’s nuclear program, which Iranians insist is peaceful in nature and which the U.S. intelligence community has agreed involves no weaponization.
Another indication that war will be avoided was the statement by a spokesman for Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta that “a military option is not being weighed at this point.”
The comment was made in response to a recent claim by the U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro that the military option is “not just available, but it’s ready.” Pentagon spokesperson George Little explained that the Pentagon is by nature “a planning organization,” and the planning of such contingencies is not a sign of impending war.
The Obama administration has been in close contact with the world powers taking part in the meeting in Baghdad between the P5+1 and Iran. Those talks will take place in the coming days and an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and the West’s approach to the issue is expected to be unveiled soon after.
“a military option is not being weighed at this point.”
Ruh Roh… I wonder if Uncle Leon cleared this with the warmongers in Tel Aviv because this is completely opposite to what the US Ambassador Shapiro told them just this week.
A different view from Obama saying Iran's nuclear program is 'a grave threat'- if it's a grace threat, why isn't a military option being weighed, and if it's NOT a grave threat why would Obama say it is?
Somebody got their teleprompters mixed up, I suspect.
John, don't be confused. Have you not heard that they frequently lie, and they call it diplomacy?
Words from these types mean nothing. We all know the truth: if they decide it's time, it will happen. It may not be "weighed" at the moment, but it is in the back of all the imperalists' minds at all times.
Bad Move ……
Better Hope so
one word why: PUTIN.
This is the US's custom: talk out of both sides of their mouths
Yep. The military brass in washington goes home every night and prays that there is no war with Iran. That's all they can do.
Since things are going so swimmingly in Afghanistan, Panetta should dun a military uniform and helmet and go in first. Ford knows it won't be me who stops him.
Maybe it isn't being weighed at THIS point, but it could have been weighed last week. Most of us would put the plan on a diet. "Confuse the sheeple" ought to be a board game.
There's not gonna be an agreement on Irans nuclear program. Panetta and the joint chiefs and the pentagon may not want a war but they don't make policy. Congress makes policy. And congress is pushing towards war with Iran.