Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz made vague, ominous comments on Monday about the possibility of a conflict erupting with Iran.
Gantz said he sees the possibility of “events happening in the Iranian front.” He said these “events” were more likely due to the change in US presidential administrations.
“I don’t know if the situation will erupt. An eruption of the situation is a function of what will happen in these events,” Gantz said. “I must add that the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] and the rest of the Israeli security forces are on alert, and are well aware of what is happening in this front.”
Since Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed in an apparent Israeli plot, the IDF has been warning of imminent Iranian attacks, despite Iran’s clear interest in avoiding a military conflict before President Trump leaves office.
The US has also stepped up provocations in recent weeks, flying B-52 bombers to the region and announcing the transit of a nuclear-powered submarine through the Strait of Hormuz. In the latest provocation, the US reversed a decision to bring the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz out of the Middle East, citing Iranian “threats.”
In case of such events transpiring, it is remarkable that Israel considers it a given — events will be in its favor, thus are desirable and welcome. Do not hear a single note of concern. Given that Iran has an ironclad backing by Russia and China, cannot see any pin pricks ending well.
The original Carter Doctrine that inserted the US guarantee into the Persian Gulf in 1980 was a fear that the Soviets would move on Iran as they had just moved into Afghanistan. The northern half of Iran was occupied by the Soviets during WW2, and getting them to leave was a problem. In 1980 there was a real fear of a repeat of events that had happened, in Iran and just happened to Afghanistan.
Now the US policy has handed Iran to the Russians, and the Chinese too. Exactly what the Carter Doctrine feared was delivered to Russia in a pretty package, because Israel wanted it so.
This whole policy has been nuts, and only gets worse. We forgot how and why we are there.
Jesus freak Carter had no business interfering so many thousands of miles away from US. But sociopathic US has to stick its nose in everything.
Yes, and Afghanistan and Iran bordered the southern flank of the USSR. Theirs was a logical defensive move against US aggression.
Not logical.
Afghanistan would have been more accurately seen as protection against US aggression, as mountains filled with hostile tribes that nobody could take. Left alone, it insulated the Soviets from attack at no cost to them.
If ever we attack Iran, we’ll see the same thing, as Saddam did in his attack on it.
Too much map reading, not enough time on the ground, for those who made the “logical” conclusion that their border was threatened.
The flat plains of Poland were never real protection for either Germany or the Soviets, but those mountains full of tribesmen were quite a different matter. Not all border nations are the same, just because the map shows a border.
Touché, Mark. It did indeed prove a major for chess master Brzezinski against his obsessive foe.
Iran is accustomed to threats. . . from the files….
Apr 21, 2009: Obama says on Iran all options on the table.
Nov 13, 2011: All Options on Table to Disarm Iran: Obama
Mar 4, 2012: Obama: All options remain on the table.
Mar 14 2013: Obama in Iran: “All options on the table.”
Mar 16, 2013: Iran commander tells Obama ‘all options on table’. . .oops
Apr 6, 2015: Obama adviser: Military option against Iran still on the table