US officials say they “understand” comments made by the Iranian Foreign Minister accusing them of flip-flopping on diplomacy this week, insisting they believe it was a product of domestic politics.
Foreign Minister Javad Zarif made the comments in response to President Obama’s most recent threats to attack Iran,which came just days after an historic phone call and amid signs of a major diplomatic push. Zarif warned it undermined trust in the diplomatic process and harmed US credibility.
Obama’s threat came after a high profile meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been an outspoken opponent of diplomacy, and was said to have demanded the US change its rhetoric and return to threats.
The “flip flop” is actually quite in keeping with the Obama Administration’s position on Iran, which seems to change dramatically depending on its intended audience. Officials often make pro forma threats to attack Iran in the wake of any meeting with top Israeli officials, but seek to portray themselves as serious about diplomacy on other occasions. Though it may well undermine US credibility, it is nothing very new.
He could talk to his audience alright, talks the double language, mimicking Dr. Martin Luther King or Malcom X or any other national hero. But he truly can flip flop and manipulate anyone at any moment which indicates that he can erode a honest diplomacy based on what Netanyahoo or Saudis are going to say to him.
"…may well undermine US credibility."
Right. I think US credibility suffered a terminal failure when the USG claimed the right of preemptive war…and the right to kidnap someone off the streets of any city anywhere in the world and drop them in a black hole in the ass-end of the Cuban island.
And the right to drone anyone, anywhere.
Netanyahu, who has been an outspoken opponent of diplomacy, and was said to have demanded the US change its rhetoric and return to threats.
is this guy the real Potus ..seems like it
is the US government is a colony of the tribe
A marionette has no sentient qualities,and twists to it's masters input.Simple.
Obama and the USG CAN'T have peace with Iran until it is destroyed like Iraq. It is understandable because you have to listen to your boss or , to be precise, kidnapper!
That Israel dictates US foreign policy in the Middle East is a truism. That Obama has to placate the Israeli lobbies in Washington is a forgone conclusion. But when American safety and prosperity is undermined by pro-Israel decisions of the State Department, it doesn't make sense. We have already spend 4 trillion dollars in Iraq and Afghanistan to placate the fears of Israel, have deprived the Egyptians of their hard earned democracy in favor of a military junta that is sympathetic to Israel, have supported some El Queda in Syria to roil up that population, continue to sidle up to rogue governments in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and now must stand down from discussing peaceful purposes with Iran. If the USA would demand that Israel comply with the Un Security Council resolutions regarding their illegal occupation of Palestinian lands, we would start to get our act together.
The US policy makers are a neurotic bunch. The spectacle of Peace gives them nightmares.