The Justice Department on Tuesday made vague accusations that “factions of the Iranian government” conspired in a plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to the United States.
Manssor Arbabsiar, a 56-year-old US citizen who also holds an Iranian passport, was charged along with Gholam Shakuri, whom Eric Holder said in a press conference Tuesday was a Quds Force member still residing in Iran.
The media was quick to describe the news as “an Iranian terrorist plot,” but the case appears to be another FBI sting operation and perhaps entrapment of a disgruntled citizen. Asked whether the plot was even known about by the top echelons of the Iranian government, Holder said the Justice Department was not making that accusation.
Arbabsiar allegedly sought out cooperation from the Zetas Mexican drug cartel to kidnap Saudi Arabia’s ambassador, Adel al-Jubeir. He had in fact met with an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agent, after which point the kidnapping turned into an assassination plot.
Arbabsiar is said to have been the middle man in hiring out who he thought to be Zetas gang members for the assassination and allegedly wired $100,000 as a downpayment for a total eventual payment of $1.5 million for the kill.
Holder said the US government would be taking unspecified action, perhaps additional economic sanctions, against the Iranian government as early as Tuesday afternoon. Despite this – plus attempts by the media to imply this plot was directed by the Iranian government – no direct accusations or evidence has been brought forth that the Iranian government was complicit, or even knowledgeable, of the plot.
The FBI has made a protocol of cradling disgruntled individuals, posing as operatives in extremist groups, and encouraging them to engage in violence. Their practices have come under increasing scrutiny as qualifying as entrapment.
For years now, a concerted covert US campaign of cyber-terrorism, commercial sabotage, targeted assassinations, and proxy wars has apparently been under way in Iran. Additionally, US-supported Israeli agents have admitted to committing terrorist acts, including assassinations, on people inside Iran.
The US is currently imposing harsh economic sanctions against Iran and has been garrisoning Iran’s surroundings with war, occupation, military bases, provocative naval activity, and rival client states.
This failed plot, apparently concocted at least in part by the FBI, and apparently traced to some rogue individual within the Quds Force (not to the Iranian government), is the only tangible action that the US has been able to claim came from any Iranian elements.
These developments come days after the Iranian government proposed – again – to swap low-enriched uranium for fuel rods to use in the Tehran Research Reactor, which produces medical isotopes. The deal, abandoned by the US in 2009 after Iran agreed to it, would safeguard against fears of Iran’s nuclear enrichment being used for military purposes, despite there being no evidence for such fears.
To sweeten the deal, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated that the Iranian government is willing to immediately stop all production of 20-percent enriched uranium if the US agrees to the deal. The US has so far turned down the renewed opportunity to ease tensions and reduce the potential for nuclear proliferation, instead using this FBI sting to push for even harsher measures against Iran.
Well what's wrong with assassinations? If the U.S. government can murder anyone, anywhere, anytime (even U.S. citizens), for any reason (or for no apparent reason) with no "due process" whatsoever (other than Presidential whim), then why can't anybody else do the same thing?
Iran would not stoop as low as we have even though we are conducting assassinations and acts of terrorism against iranians in Iran
The deadly hypocrisy of fascist amerika knows no bounds ! The sooner the empire falls, the better; Viva La Revolucion !
THere is not a single doubt in my mind that this is a complete lie. Judging by the preparedness of CNN with anti-iranian "experts" waiting to comment just minutes after the first release and the obvious scripted reporting throughout the mainstream media, it seems obvious that this was arranged with the american people as the target of yet another round of anti-iran propaganda.
THroughout the coverage, not a singe word of doubt or criticism was ever mentioned. CNN anchors kept referring to this as though it were fact and indeed escalating and exaggerating the whole scenario beyond logical belief. What exactly does CNN have against Iran or against fair journalism??
First, If the Iranians wanted to do this, they would not have been so sloppy to get caught.
Second, Iran has absolutely nothing to gain from something like this but the Saudis and Israelis definitely DO!!
THird, we and the israelis are assassinating iranian scientists and kidnapping their diplomats in Iraq. We are conducting assassinations all over the world. Why should Iran be held to a different standard if indeed these allegations are true (which i would bet my life they are NOT)
CNN is merely a component of the FedGov propaganda machinery; its job is to shill. This plot is laughable to anyone with an ounce of credulity, but in its pitch to the morons that comprise the American population, it's a brilliant combination of Iran, terrorism, and the drug war. The only thing the FedGov didn't work into the "narrative" was North Korea and Syria, but those are details that might very well "appear" in the near future. The magic hat of "intelligence" can produce practically any desired scenario.
Only CBS led with the story. ABC had a brief story later in their broadcast and NBC not only didn't lead with the story but I did not see anything on their evening news. Even corporate media had trouble with this bull.
Actually, I was surprised that Brian Williams (NBC Evening News) DID lead with this story. And he actually brought up the unbelievability factor – tho he did downplay that to some degree. But the fact that he showed some doubt and raised the credibility issue was encouraging.
Is this what the USG has been waiting for? Now they can launch the much anticipated (by israel) invasion, occupation, drone bombings of Iran!!! Halleluyah!
But this ridiculous plot sounds more like one of those highly successful FBI orchestrated operations probably in conjunction with our new best friends from the MEK. Obama, or whoever really runs the government, now has its pretext for war. While lately we haven't heard much whining about Iran from the administration it sounds like our guys have been busy making things happen. This is going to be great, another wolfoshlitzian cakewalk! And more deficit, death, and destruction.
Maybe we should reexamine our citizenship laws and also end the war on drugs.
And end dual citizenship for everyone. If it's dangerous granting dual citizenship to Iranians, how much more dangerous is it to give dual citizenship to Israelis.
I'm all for ending dual citizenship. I also believe we should end birthright citizenship.
Even better, we should cancel all Citizenship. Everyone should earn it by passing the citizenship exam which the naturalized citizens have to take. I bet most people will fail.
Just in time for the upcoming campigning season. How convenient.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahaahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the fable "The boy who cried wolf", the villagers figured it out in the end (and, if I recall correctly, the wolf finally came by and ate the kid).. Anyone think the American people are getting close to figuring it out?
i dont know. it seems alot of americans believe this rubbish without question.
What I am trying to figure out is what is the US's angle on this? What exactly is the US government trying to achieve by fabricating this story about Iran. What is the goal? It does not seem like they are trying to elicit any move from Iran.
This story is solely targeting the US public. In this regards, the story has been successful in vilifying Iran, but again, what is the purpose? Is there an attack on Iran coming?
Stories like these create an association in mind Iran->Bad and Dangerous. That comes in handy whenever the government decides to take the next step. Interestingly, even if the story turns out to be completely fabricated the association would remain in the subconscious.
No.
Ditto
DItto, ditto
Another flag…only 50 pages in the indictment…that seems like very little to be crowing about – maybe the courier from AIPAC with the remainder of the script got lost in Rock Creek Park.
You've got to be kidding me! One idiotic charge after another by the chief liars on the planet…. The US FedGov and its lying mouth pieces.
Iran should stop all oil exports until Usa admits its all lies.
I hope this drives Iran closer into the Russian camp. There can never be peace in the world and the United States can never again be free while she continues to harbor imperial ambitions and until every neocon is convicted of conspiracy and imprisoned in solitary confinement for life.
What else does Iran sell?
I just can't describe how insulted I am by these claims. Does that idiot Holder expect that anyone except complete morons will believe such bullshit? Oops, the Daily Mail in the UK believes them but then Paul Dacre is a moron.
BTW, the alleged target of this assassination has been calling on the US to assassinate the political leadership of Iran on behalf of his boss.
"One cable quoted Mr. Jubeir, who “recalled the King’s frequent exhortations” to end Iran’s nuclear program. Jubeir is quoted as saying: “He told you to cut off the head of the snake.”
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/1…
Iran has done more than they should in my opinion to calm the real terrorist countrys America and Israel.Its all lies like most of the things that come out of Americas or Israels governments.We are all waking up to the fact that the people in America and Israel lie to make others look bad when they are much worse in every way.Illegal wars and occupations baised on lies and more lies.I say it all the time America and Israel are the real dangers to the world don't no how is worse America and there illegal wars supported and for Israel or Israel with there Sampson option that threatens the entire world along with there treatment of the Palistinians.Whatever happened to the rule of law and its inforsment.Not these laws that take away are freedoms and allow assasinations including American citizens and wars that all go against the American constitution that all police military congress and judges swear to uphold and many have shown they never had any intension of upholding the constitution.They are the real criminals and should all be jailed.Its really sickning.
Sadly what is missing from this report is that there is taped conversations of the 'alleged' plot . In the absence of having them tested in a court I with hold my judgement on the authenticity of the plot.
This doesn't me that I agree with the US's predetermined stance on plots. Neither do I agree with their techniques.
I'm not as convinced as some that Iran is the 'satan' i.e. any better or worse than the US. From their perspective the US is unreasonably out to get them…partially because it can't forgive the revolutionaries for overthrowing the US supported dictator 'the Shar' and then refusing to do as it was told.
It is interesting to compare the overthrow of the Shar with that of Egypt's dictator. Any questions who's supporting the Egyptian Army ? (hint it's not Iran)
Unfortunately, even a court case does not reveal much. The accused is threatened with life imprisonment which is then bargained down to, say, 20 years if he signs on the dotted line. No accused terrorist would dare to refuse such a bargain.
I dont understand, if this guy committed a crime, shouldnt he have been arraigned at some point? charged? They have had him since August, but he only appeared in court today for some unspecified reason? Was this meant to coincide with the media blitz? My understanding is that nobody has been charged with anything yet officially and that the attorney general has only filed a "complaint" in court.
Does anybody know what this all means?
why do my comments all need to be approved by site admin?
Dang, if our neocon masters want to gen up a war with Iran is this the best they can do?
LOL. I'm guessing this was originally pitched as the script for a Chuck Norris comeback movie. When Hollywood rejected it as way too unbelievable, the scriptwriters instead found a buyer at the State Dept.
Nah. I saw this 50 years ago on the Bullwinkle show. Boris and Natasha did it and FBI mixed up the files.
LOL. Was it Moose or Squirrel that was framed?
what a fortuitous coincidence, just as Huntsman says attack Iran and Perry says invade Mexico. to quote Robert Baer, 'this stinks to holy hell'. the staggering thing is that warmongers are probably going to successfully pull off this flagrant con. Jesus wept!
Based on past practice, there is no probability that Iran did it, and for an absolute the US has not once told the truth about Iran since 1979 when a popular revolt shipped the Shah back to USA.
No democracy supports dictators, as evidenced by the Shah being the darling of American high society until the day he died.
Hmmm WE are just about to be kicked out of Iraq.
How convenient, how timely.
i think you just nailed it…….
we aint leaving iraq without a fight. certainly not without taking a shot at iran
This is clearly a false flag operation and an attempt by the US to scuttle any rapprochment between the Saudis and Iran and even to find a pretext toward taking military action against Iran.
The op-ed piece presented in the NYT several weeks ago warning the US against quashing Palestine's bid for independence was written by Turki Al-Faisal, a senior prince of the house of Saud and a member of the Al-Faisal branch of the family, which has been seeking a rapprochment with Iran. Prince Turki's op-ed piece was published with the approval of the Saudi King and can be seen as a signal that relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia are thawing. This is something the bas***d neocons don't want, and so an attempt to make Iran look criminal had to be concocted.
I hope that the Saudis have the brains to recognize CIA chicanery when they see it, and that the American public is smart enough not to let itself get railroaded into more ME wars, this time with Iran.
i pray that iran is not invaded
This sort of propaganda will become more widespread and frequent:The US has signed off with Israel to up the ante against Iran….. It's pretty much the pot calling the kettle black…
The US set a bad example, so it cannot complain if the international system is coming apart at the seams. By the way, I don't believe a word the psychopath in Washington and Tel Aviv say.
Even if the allegations against these Iranians prove to be true, and I have my doubts, like most people on this site, it is interesting to compare the reaction when the U.S. government does the same thing. Obama now does extra judicial assassinations in foreign countries very openly now, and the media celebrates it. Now observe the outrage when Iran is simply alleged to have plotted to do an assassination on U.S. soil. Why this is an outrageous violation of international law, the hypocrites in Washington and the media charge!
I have a hard time believing Iran would attempt to do something so foolish, because obviously the rules for Iran are different than they are for the Godfather in Washington. Washington can kill whenever it feels like it, but official enemies can't. I can't imagine the Iranian government doing something that would be so provocative if they were caught. This is why I suspect we might find this to be a government entrapment operation. We'll see, but I suspect what actually has happened will be much different than story being spoon fed to the media today.
Bogus, would you buy a used car from that guy?
I don,t understand US lieing politics and is not enough to wage a war of lies on Irak and Afghanistan. Therte is no doubt that CNN is selling the news for money from FBI or CIA.
We must stop such allegations when they were plotting against Saudi embassy why not choose a soft o0bject and country.e.g. for such actions poor countries you can purchase the people very cheap like so called suicide bombers for little money to Afghan refugies.
America will never learn from their past lies and will put the world on fire.
Repotingon poverty..,reportingon wars..,reporting on this or that dictatorships in other countries is easier then talking about the social problems at home.., blaming others makes the argument even esaier for stupids to think that is their fault and not our..,so blaming Iranian or any others is yet another argument which been the US and EU present "democratic" governments to hide their falsified democracy.
But, what about Iran’s motive? As it is written, “The curse causeless has not come,” so great Empire USA why is it that you cannot give us the slightest motive?
No, he wasn't going to kill the Saudi Ambassador, he was going to blow up the Hoover Dam with an underwear bomb after he took down Mount Rushmore with a radio controlled model airplane.
Even Robert Baer is calling this one out as BS. The money trail indicates a rather amateur attempt at directing responsibility towards Iran. The outsourcing of labor to an unknown is also something that is a red flag. The whole thing is very amateur and cannot stand for a moment under professional scrutiny. That's not what was intended, in my opinion. The intent was to further demonize Iran and deliver a two-for-one deal to constituents who have been turning against the establishment as soft on Iran and unfriendly to Israel and the Saudis who see Iran as a regional rival. The less people look into this issue, the happier the perpetrators will be.
CNN reporting, just like the Associated Press, is pathetic and nothing more than a dumbing down tool
on the American public. Outside of the United States, their audience is miniscule. Eric Holder? Few in the United States and very few outside of the US listen to him.
It has been said "The only thing new is history you haven't read yet". Remember the lie told about Saddam Hussein trying to assassinate Bush Sr? Remember the lies told to us to get us to agree with invading the sovereign country of Iraq? Better yet, do you know when the district of criminals told us the truth? All we get is propaganda that, strangely enough, plays into the hands of AIPAC. Get the Saudi's and Iran at each others throats and win sentiment in the US to invade Iran. And a big plus, get the Americans to accept more bondage thru homeland security etc.
Iran, unlike America, has never invaded anybody. They are aware of the world menace that the Zionist are causing in pursuit of their goal of taking Samaria and Judea, and to what ends they'll go through to accomplish it. Read Operation northwoods.com. It spells out the lengths DC will go to get their way.
The phony 'Iran Plot' story is a distraction from fbi incompetence and at the same time prepares the world for an attack on Iran by USA or '?Isreal'.
http://www.sosbeevfbi.com/911caneasilyrevi.html
http://www.sosbeevfbi.com/part4-worldinabo.html
http://barbarahartwellvscia.blogspot.com/2008/09/…
However,
A nation and its people who deliberately engage in the systematic conquest, subjugation, torture, imprisonment and killing of others must by the laws of physics and divine nature have the same calamities delivered upon themselves.
A childish stunt was the response from Iran. Obama reveals his weakness in foreign policy. He grossly underestimates the collective knowledge of the resistance against him.
rofl, who writes these comic books. seems like good distraction from Holder's Fast and Furious failure…
I'm appalled at the cynicism of these comments. How can you people doubt the truthfulness of the US government? Of course the Iranian government was behind this, and the US never conducted spy flights over the Soviet Union. Gary Powers was just a little off course. His violation of Soviet airspace was completely inadvertent. The North Vietnamese carried out an unprovoked attack on US vessels in the Gulf of Tonkin. Nicaraguan contras received no support from the US. There was no arms for hostages deal. The Serbs were conducting genocide in Kosovo. The Taliban refused to allow bin Laden to be brought to court. Iraq had an active nuclear weapons program in 2003 and Saddam Hussein was in league with al Qaeda. The US government never lies.
Stop these guys before they kill again. Occupy Wall Street or your home town now!
A Peace of History:
200 years ago, France and England created a Shiate Iran that was Sunny then, and put the Safavid dynasty on place. Tens of thousands of Iranians were killed in order to force them into becoming Shiates. They then supplied Iran with enough military training to be able to withstand the ruling Ottoman empire's forces that were forging ahead in Europe, where no one could withstand their military forces – by creating a Sunni (Ottoman's)-Shiates(Iranians) conflict. The ottoman empire was weakened and ultimately destroyed. Millions of Arabs, Turks, and Iranians died so the France to become a power-hose.
Although Iranian government is a Fascist government, this is the same story as Safavid, same story as US generals going to Indians and Pakistani, … daily, and trying to create a war. This one is about Suni and Shiates and trying to divide the Muslims, thus creating wars and ruling the region!
This should be well understood by what we have seen so far in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Egypt, Syria, …..
General Wesley Clark:
– youtu.be/Jc0tv-ZjmLQ
– watch?v=GuqZfaj34nc
– watch?v=qI_P3pxze5w&feature=player_embedded#!
There must be something else going on down, This has to be a smokescreen to take everyone's attention away from the main game in town.
Maybe like Geithner's rejoining Goldman Sachs (hooray) to oversee GS takeover of Citibank, the BoA and the Fed (damn), so they can finally steal ALL the money (OK then)
MerryCahn folks of wont vote out a POTUS who's fighting Ayohtollahs.
Larry, borrow another $US100 zillion from the Arabs & Chinese, then buy us all some iPhones these darn Blackberry's have stopped working because the Iranians put a virus in them, order up the nuclear Predators. I promise it'll all be over by next Christmas.