Tensions between the US and Iran have been on the rise in the past several days, with Iran blaming US-backed groups for a Saturday terrorist attack, and Trump aide Rudolph Giuliani vowing an impending US-imposed regime change against Iran the same day.
With talk of Iran doing something in retaliation for the terror attack, Secretary of State Mike Po9mpeo is now leading US comments threatening war against Iran, if the Iranians target any sort of “American interests.”
“We will not let Iran get away with using a proxy force to attack an American interest,” Pompeo insisted, adding when asked about military options that “they’re going to be held accountable.” The S has been threatening to attack Iran for decades now.
Talk of proxies and vague notions of US interests basically allow the US to attack Iran whenever they want to, as the US portrays most of its regional enemies and some allies, including parts of Iraq’s current government, as Iranian proxies, and broadly defines its interests time and again.
President Trump and Secretary Mattis are more inclined to a peaceful resolution, renegotiating the nuclear deal and not going to war. However, Secretary Pompeo, Vice President Pence, National Security Adviser Bolton, CIA Director Haspel and Senior Adviser Kushner are far more hawkish and very well may dictate policy. They seem totally unconcerned that their neoconservative warmongering might very well lead to World War III, pitting Iran, Syria, Russia and probably China against the US, UK and Israel. The US’s putative allies in NATO (other than the UK) and West Asia are more likely to sit it out than to join what’s sure to be the losing side in a long, bloody and horrendously expensive war. Let’s hope that cool head, morality, international law and enlightened self interest hold sway.
What planet do you live on? The Orange One wants a war with Iran because B. Nutty told him so.
So the all caps tirade threatening Iran with annihilation was a peaceful overture by Trump? If he was inclined for a peaceful resolution all he had to do was honor the JCPOA.
No one despises Iran like Mattis, the marines blame Iran for the bombing of barracks in Lebenon (with no evidence of course) and they want payback.
Renegotiating the nuclear deal is a complete non-starter, Iran has made that clear, and for good reason, as has Europe. Been there done that. The basis of a negotiation is that both sides are supposed to end up with something they want. For instance sanctions relief, and Iran is still waiting after years of complying with their commitments.
In short, expect some ‘US interest’ to be attacked in the near future with the deed being pinned on the Iranians. Statements like this have flashing neon signs all pointing to a false-flag attack in the making.
What, like baseball or the Kardashians?
Few people believe the USA and Israel are not engaged in covert actions against Iran. Statements such as this from Pompeo simply highlight how little he cares about hiding the fact. He likes to Swagger.
Now that the USA has blamed Iran for everything from 9/11 to Pearl Harbor it shouldn’t be too hard to muster up something to point a finger at.Then ratchet up the pressure to continue to try and destabilize the Iranian Government.
war against everyone it wants or another 9/11 that would make 9/11 look like nothing in comparison. No electrical, no markets, martial law, “terror” attacks everywhere in the U.S., bio, chem, the whole shebang
Amidst all the bluster, the DC war crazies never seem to ask the question : what is good for the American people. Israel, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states are not parts of the United States. Why are their interests given priority over those of the people of the USA?
“they’re going to be held accountable.”
This statement may come back to haunt them many times over. When you operate in an atmosphere of complete immunity to accountability, almost any kind of BS will float.
Can we make a list for Iran that tells them what constitutes an “American interest”? Like send them a picture of the planet earth?
Looks like the imminent bankruptcy of the United States is not far off. Desperate for a war it would seem, and the cash it brings.
The other four members of the UN Security Council have just defeated Trump’s anti-Iran policy.
…from WaPo:
and from Juan Cole
What Trump said this morning quoted in abc tweet —
Iran’s tune has been changed, but not to Trump’s liking.
If the U.S. brings on a world war they will fighting on all fronts even on their own territory as there are Americans that are fed up with wars without end. The politicians will be first to go.
I too believe the antiwar Americans are a coiled snake.
Is this 2018 or 1913? This is the kind of language used by the Kaiser, the Czar, and the President of France (and Clemenceau).
Except that I cannot decide the governmental analogy. Is Pompeo the analog of a German, a Russian, or a French war stoker?
Most likely this is just another attempt of the White House to divert the attention of the nation from the real domestic problems and the Kavanaugh approval by the Senate.
The real domestic problems: mean family income vs. inflation, health insurance and care, budget deficit, climate disasters, rotting infrastructure, antiquated immigration laws and policies, what to do with the arrested foreign children removed from their parents, pain medication crisis, shooting/murder rate, rate of suicide by soldiers, lingering racism and sexism. And more.
The fact that not enough is done on these problems is shared by the White House and Congress. And perhaps by our system of governance constructed around 1780.
But they always count on everyone coming together once a war is started. I certainly will… against the warmongers. United we stand for peace vs all who hate peace, foreign and domestic.
Aside from that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play ?
I will have trouble deciding which side except for the low value of a Pence. And how the plotters from past were just as fixated on this non issue. Dangerous drivel over imagined non existent “interests” as opposed to what is good for America and her people, nearly always shunted aside to accommodate little buddy issue.
Pence will be no change, as they are both GOP rubber stamps. Tho, I do think trump’s emolument violations to be at an intolerable level.
By “proxy forces” they are probably describing both Syria and Hizballah in Lebanon. Israel wants both countries destroyed so it can start a war with Iran without having to worry about the military capabilities of both countries. Hizballah in particular can rain 1,600 missiles a day on Israel for months in the event of a war. Israel’s economy can not afford having its citizens in bomb shelters 24×7.
The new tack also seems to be directed toward getting Saudi Arabia and the UAE to start a war with Iran. This would absolve Israel of blame for starting the war but still allow the US to attack Iran to save its Saudi “ally”. Saudi Arabia officials have been saying they intend to attack Iran inside Iran using dissident groups. The recent terrorist attack inside Iran is likely the result of this new approach.
This would be a god-send for Israel. I suspect, however, that neither Hizballah nor Syria would be fooled and would likely attack Israel anyway. Israel is making a mistake if they think they can foment a war with Iran using Saudi Arabia and escape Iran’s retaliation on Israel.
The US has been threatening to attack Iran for decades now.
Yes, the US would attack Iran if it does what the US does. . . .from the files . . .
A US military option with regard to Iran remains on the table should Tehran violate the terms of a framework agreement to curb its nuclear program, according to US Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes.“Certainly, if Iran violates the agreement, all options are on the table related to Iran, including military options,” Rhodes said Monday night in an interview with Channel 2.
“All options are on the table.” That’s a good one.
Aug 3, 2017 — Pres. Obama on Iran: All options on the table
May 22, 2015 — And I’ve made clear that when it comes to preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, all options are and will remain on the table.
Dec 20, 2013 — Obama on Iran: ‘All options on the table
Mar 20, 2013 — “All options are on the table” in dealing with Iran, Obama said.
Mar 14, 2013 — Obama on Iran: ‘All options on the table
Mar 4, 2012 — ” I have said that when it comes to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, I will take no options off the table, and I mean what I say.”
May 17, 2009 — “I’ve been very clear that I don’t take any options off the table with respect to Iran.”
Apr 21, 2009 — U.S. President Barack Obama said on Tuesday he wanted direct diplomacy with long-time foe Iran but without taking other options off the table.
But Iran can play that game too, so why start (or rather continue) on it? Why not stick to an international agreement? Why be so childish? Why not make the treaty the essential option on the table?
Mar 16, 2013 — A top Iranian military commander on Saturday told US President Barack Obama that Tehran also had all of its “options on the table,” echoing a warning to the Islamic republic by the American leader.”Mr Obama, do not make a mistake: we too have all our options on the table. Before you get deeper in the region’s quagmire, go back home!” Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri was quoted as saying on sephanews.com, website of the elite Revolutionary Guards.
That’s not an idle threat. Iran and its ally Hezbollah have the capability to put a major hurt on US forces and US allies in the Middle East which is why Iran has not been attacked heretofore.
Soon there will be nobody left in the world but the USA, Israel and their enemies, ie everyone else except Saudi Arabia.
I notice that Bolton has now said Iran was responsible for the Israeli attack on Syria which precipitated the downing of a Russian plane and the killing of its 15 airmen.