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Subscribe to RSSThe EU is imposing an immediate ban on imports of oil from Iran as a way to pressure the government to halt its nuclear activities. ITV's Ali Smith reports.
Updated at 12:30 p.m. ET: Hours after the European Union imposes an oil embargo and sanctions on Iran's central bank, France, Britain and Germany say they are willing to negotiate with Iran if it is ready to talk seriously about its nuclear program.
"We call on Iran's leadership immediately to suspend its sensitive nuclear activities and abide fully by its international obligations," the European countries say in a joint statement. "Until Iran comes to the table, we will be united behind strong measures to undermine the regime's ability to fund its nuclear program."
In response, the offices of Treasury secretary Timothy Geithner and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issues the following statement, according to NBC News:
"We welcome today's decision by the European Union to ban imports of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, freeze the assets of the Iranian central bank, and take additional action against Iran's energy, financial, and transport sectors."
Updated at 12 p.m. ET: Iran says a European Union decision Monday to impose new sanctions over its nuclear program is "psychological warfare," Reuters reports.
"... Imposing economic sanctions is illogical and unfair but will not stop our nation from obtaining its rights," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast is quoted as saying by state television, referring to Iran's nuclear energy ambitions.
Updated at 11 a.m. ET: Russia's Foreign Ministry says the European Union was wrong to impose an oil embargo on Iran over its controversial nuclear program, The Associated Press reports.
"It's apparent that in this case there is open pressure and diktat, aimed at 'punishing' Iran for uncooperative behavior. This is a deeply mistaken policy, as we have told our European partners more than once. Under pressure of this sort, Iran will not make any concessions or any corrections to its policies," the ministry says.
Updated at 9:45 a.m. ET: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised a European Union decision to place sanctions on Iranian oil exports, Reuters reports. "I think this is a step in the right direction," Netanyahu said at a meeting of his Likud faction in parliament. "For now, it is impossible to know what the result of these sanctions will be. Heavy and swift pressure is needed on Iran and the sanctions must be evaluated according to their results."
Netanyahu also said that despite world pressure so far "Iran is continuing undeterred to develop nuclear weapons," Reuters adds.
Updated at 8:30 a.m. ET: A member of Iran's influential Assembly of Experts, former intelligence minister Ali Fallahian, says Tehran should respond to an EU decision to impose sanctions on Iran -- some of which come into force in July -- by stopping oil sales to the bloc immediately. This would deny the Europeans time to arrange alternative supplies and damaging their economies with higher oil prices.
"The best way is to stop exporting oil ourselves before the end of this six months and before the implementation of the plan," the semi-official Fars news agency quoted him as saying, Reuters reports. He also reiterated that Iran could close the Strait of Hormuz, through which a third of all oil tanker traffic passes to importers around the world.
Published at 7:45 a.m. ET: The European Union on Monday adopted an oil embargo against Iran over its nuclear program, a day after U.S., British and French warships sailed into the Persian Gulf.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague on Monday called the measure part of "an unprecedented set of sanctions."
"I think this shows the resolve of the European Union on this issue," he said.
Diplomats say the measures, adopted by the EU's 27 foreign ministers, include an immediate embargo on new contracts for crude oil and petroleum products while existing ones are allowed to run until July.
Tehran denies claims that its nuclear program is aimed at developing weapons, saying it is for peaceful purposes.
In a report that examined how Iran might respond to an EU oil embargo, Professor Paul Stevens, a visiting professor at University College London (Australia) and research fellow at U.K. think tank Chatham House, said it was "extremely unlikely" that Iran would not retaliate.
'Lockerbie-type response' feared
Stevens said that if Iran seriously threatened the transit of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for world supplies, this would "rapidly degenerate into a shooting war" between Iran and the U.S., supported by its allies.
He expressed doubts Iran would try to do this, saying it was a "very powerful card that Iran is unlikely to play early in the game."
However, Stevens said Iran had other retaliation options, warning that there "could even be a Lockerbie-type response prompted by elements from within Iran," referring to the bombing ofPan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, which led to 270 deaths. That attack was blamed on Moammar Gadhafi's Libyan regime.
He also said Iran could try to push oil prices upward by creating further instability in Iraq, hitting that country's oil exports; make "serious trouble" for NATO in Afghanistan; and also put "huge pressure" on other Gulf oil exporters and "at worst" threaten oil facilities."
Stevens said the Abqaiq processing facility in Saudi Arabia was "well within Iranian missile range."
On Sunday, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its battle group sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, despite previous threats from Iran to attack the aircraft carrier Stennis if it returned to the Gulf.
Fmr. National Security Adviser to President Carter, Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, and the Washington Post's David Ignatius join Morning Joe to discuss Iran. What will tough sanctions from the West on Iran mean? Is Iran sending the world signals they are willing to negotiate when it comes to nuclear proliferation? The Washington Post's Bob Woodward also joins the conversation.
U.S. military officials said the Lincoln saw no sign of Iranian speed boats that sometimes harass U.S. warships.
The U.K.'s Telegraph newspaper reported that the nuclear-powered Lincoln was accompanied by a British navy ship and a French warship.
A U.K. defense ministry spokesman told the paper that HMS Argyll had joined the U.S. carrier group "to underline the unwavering international commitment to maintaining rights of passage (to the Strait of Hormuz) under international law."
The Associated Press, Reuters and msnbc.com staff contributed to this report.
Leave a Comment:
OK Iran time to blink or be Iraq 2.
I'm pretty sure you want to waste another 1 trillion taxpayer dollar to save Israel, while China is investing all its money inside of the country. Soon, US will be bankrupt because of war.
What kind of cruel fate put Muslims on top of all that oil??
Go clean energy 110%. Nothing to lose. Oil will be past tense among the richer countries. Oil is like bow and arrow. Forget nuclear energy too. "drill baby drill" is not going to work.
let's get ready to rumbleeeeeee!
Blame, blame and more blame. A little late for the blame game. Most everyone is in agreement that Iran wants to be a nuclear contender in the bomb game. Now the question is "what is the rest of the global community going to do about it"? Some folks remember when Fidel Castro of Cuba in the early sixties wanted to play in the game. He was supported by the USSR and sent the nuclear toys. This Country, under President Kennedy, said "NO WAY." If people think for one minute that the government of Iran will play nice should they get the bomb they should read their history books and then make an intelligent decision.
this thing will come to a head very soon; notice the Carrier group was American, British and French, to show a solidarity of Nations opposing Iran; they will just sell more oil to China, and China will buy less oil from the pool, there is no way to isolate a country as rich as Iran, without a all out War, which we can not afford at this time; once the Keystone pipeline is in, we will be totally independent from the international pool of oil, controlled by the Arab nations. (oops, forgot that one was canceled)
Most everyone believed Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, too.
LMAO. Sure. Close the Strait of Hormuz. Then the reason for the embargo will be solved. All of the atom bomb production will be turned to dust. Please. Close the Straits. Play right into the hands of the world. Frickin morons.
Mr. boom. Saddam helped the world believe he had WMD becasue he feared Iran after his army was destroyed. He knew that if Iran believed he had WMD they would have serious doubts about attacking his weakened nation. He believe the US had CIA agents in his government and would see through the ruse. He was mistaken. Unfortunately for him he not only fooled Iran but everyone else too.
@ Boom.....You no damn well that Saddam had to be taken down....There will never be stability in the region as long as people like him and Mamoud are in power. In fact there probably never will be .
Yeah Boom. What Jack said.
WE don't need another war - but if Iran is determined to pick a fight, I'm perfectly happy being part of an international coalition aimed at turning Iran into an ashtray.
I don't know if I can live in an America where we are not bombing the he!! outta some tiny foreign country.
Supported by it's allies. Yeah right. I guess it all depends on who defines support. Last time I looked we have carried the bulk of the cost and military. And once again WE pay. Hell we don't even import oil from Iran. Why do we let Europe draw us into fights that are not ours and little can we afford them right now. And we always seem to foot the highest cost of the bill ,without counting the tip.
I am sorry but I am just tried of what the whole Middle East situation has cost us, is costing us and looks like what it will cost us. We need to stop sometime. Now seems like a good time.
Wayne ....Iran is far from tiny, and they do pose serious threat to the "World Economy" to which regretfully, we have become wholehearted participants.
Iran is a tiny foreign country?
ROTFLMAO!
Okay, first, back to geography with you. Second, yes, I get your point, however, that's like saying no war is worth fighting. You know, like the American Revolution, or say, World War II. Obviously, you have to look at each instance and decide if it is worth it.
The problem is we are rebounding from a war prosecuted by fools, and that is Iraq. Our military was used for the fat, old, redfaced, ignorant men who we elected. Iran is not Iraq, which, again, is first obvious from geography, and then we can get into the more imporant details.
Iranian Leaders = Fools Extraordinaire
Iranian People = Ultimate victims of Foolish leaders.
By the way, is the 'Lockerbie' fear that after a bombing, a Scottish judge will once again have to be bribed by BP and British politicians to let the terrorists go after they kill people?
"Stevens said the Abqaiq processing facility in Saudi Arabia was "well within Iranian missile range." "
Gee, I wonder if Iran's oil facilities are within range of American missiles and warplanes?
I tend to doubt that Iran would want to have their military facilities obliterated.
Can't we all just get along?
Cub,
I am sure your history books told you we resolved the Cuban missile crisis without war. You are correct when you say Iran will not play nice. Please open your history book to 1953 when the USA overthrew Iran's democratically elected government (that, at that time, was not anti USA)and replaced it with a dictator (Shaw of Iran) who was then overthrown and replaced with a government that is Anti-American. It is important we understand WHY they won't play nice...they have no reason to trust US. There are a lot of ways we can resolve this problem involving a country that is weak compared to US OR ISRAELwithout going to war. It is time we started acting as a world partner rather than hated world cop and started to rule by example instead of force. We can't afford the endless wars we are already involved in. EXAMPLE Afghanistan Government and US Generals are asking for us to stay another 10 to 14 years...at a rate of 1 BILLION every 2 weeks it is not hard to figure out we can't do it. Oh our government will try so that the corrupt can continue to get campaign support from war profiteers. At this time I would like you to look at the history of Rome, Soviet Union and England, they all have one thing in common with what the USA is doing now. They all tried to finance wars and stretched themselves too thin until all efforts to fund the war (including printing money)started (or succeeded) to bankrupt the country and the house of cards collapsed.
The sad part is that the bulk of the Iranian people are the ones that will pay the price for these fools, the bulk of the population could care less about their leaders agenda, they would love to just be left alone to live their lives but the pushy, arrogant, pompous, dictating class of religious fanatics will never allow that, they believe they are working for God and can do no wrong. they will always be a problem, so what else can we do. we sureas hell cant let them attain the weapons they seek because then they will become a much bigger problem. face it there is no way out of this mess unless the Ayatollahdesires to play down the situation, its his call. will he lead his people to war or will he stop the nuclear program? we see how they act without the bomb how do you think they will act when they have a arsenal. I don't know about you but I don't want to find that one out.
AIPAC and the large corportions are winning.
Shut down the oils supply, prices go through the roof Israel and the corporations have won.
Corporation making megabuck and Israel has Iran shut down.
And lots of kids will come home in body bags, we all have gone broke. BUT NOT HALIBURTON, LOCKHEED MARTIN,RAYATHON and the likes.
I say if Iran wants a nuclear bomb so bad that we just give them one.
Saxon puts out the fiction that the Kestone XL oil would have been used for domestic consumption. Guarantee that it would be used to bring down gas prices in America and it would pass tomorrow. Make no mistake; this oil was designated for China one way or another. If the pipleline is such a good deal, why don't the Canadians build it west to Vancouver? Our northern cousins wouldn't put their pristine environment at risk for any number of jobs.
So what's the US looking for in the gulf ...PEACE? Nah Obama got a peace prize for what he hasn't stopped killing & destroying since he got in. Nuclear programs are the same load of non sense as wmds. If nukes were the issue then you would attack India , Pakistan & Israel before Iran. Why Iran is a signatory to the NPT where as those three aren't.
Many theories exist about why the US is attacking even the fact that nations that stop using the $ as a reserve currency. Who knows but I do know this year will be a turning point for many nations. The minute the US starts another fight in the gulf oil will spiral then those nations on the brink of collapse will do just that collaspe. My question is what is the US really looking to achieve it's not human rights look at all the carnage left behind Iraq, Libya, Egypt. There they released Saudi muslim brotherhood so now instead of one leader that held nations in some order you released anarchy. Anarchy for peace loving Christians trapped inside that mess so what are you really doing America I really don't know or understand but it's not democracy, peace or order?!
What, why offer you child to the meat grinder of war while the politicians children party at home?
Here we go...If you play with crazy...you get krazy
Mac11546, Our northern cousins our destroying their environment in order to extract oil from oil sands and shale. The reason they want to send it to Texas is because Texas has refineries that can process that type of heavy crude into fuel.
He didn't fool the people who found no evidence of such weapons. He apparently only fooled people who had an interest in taking over that country, who then fooled the people who elected him.
I'm not sure if you are a troll, or just the lowest common denominator.
Tired of Stupidity-946705
The US Navy does not share your sentiment. Iran is capable of closing the strait. It will take the destruction of their mobile missiles to keep the strait open, something that will take time to accomplish. Closing the strait however is economic suicide for Iran.
The EU recognizes the threat a nuclear armed Iran would pose. They also know full well that no new sanctions against Iran would get through the UN Security Council because both Russia and China would veto them. This left the EU with little choice but to act independent of the UN if they wanted to put pressure on Iran to toe the line on their nuclear program. Iran has done a lot of sabre rattling ad made a lot of threats, but I do not think they are dumb enough to actually try and close the Straight of Hormuz. They know full well that if they do the west will make it so that they need glass bottom boats to see the remains of their navy. There is no way that Iran could close the Straight and keep it closed for more than a few hours while the US and European nations took out the Iranian navy and anti-ship missile facilities along the Iranian coast. Any mines that the Iranians managed to deploy would be quickly cleared by the minesweepers that the US maintains in the region as part of the 5th fleet based in Bahrain. The Russians and Chinese may be willing to block sanctions against Iran in the UN, but they are certainly not going to support any action by Iran to close an international waterway or come to their aid if they are dumb enough to try and attack any ships in the region. The Russians and Chinese are also not going to get into a shooting war with the US and Europe by trying to help Iran if the western nations find it necessary to take out Iran's anti-ship missile emplacements along the coast.
Hopefully this new round of sanctions by the west will be enough to bring Iran in line on their nuclear program without armed conflict erupting. Iran has to know that if they fire the first shot by trying to close the Straight of Hormuz they will have absolutely no support from any other nation and will become a total pariah. For all their threats, Iran has got to know that any military action on their part will mean a swift and overwhelming response from the west that would completely destroy their military.
We trained most of the senior people in Iran,s Military. A lot of them were junior personnel at that time. I spent some time in Iran before the Shah was deposed training them on Weapons systems we sold them. They do have some idea on how we operate, specially the Navy! While they would never be able to defeat us..... they could kill US servicemen and women in the process.
You guys all get an F in world History. Modern Day Iran has never...I repeat Never invaded anyone's land. The action of the King in 300 is all fictional propaganda buy a media that hates Iran. The reality is Iran has every right to have Nuclear power just like Israel does. I mean come on guys be real.... Israel is literally killing women and children in the street with chemical warfare (phosphorus gas bombs and melting their skin off of 4 year old little babies.)....that is OK? and they have a right to Nuclear power WHY? You guys had all better wake up and watch a YouTube video called American gets beat in Israel and understand the reality of who your enemy really is. Iranians LOVE Americans and they are not what you are being shown on a media driven TV blurt for 2 minutes.......We are acting in an unfair biased capacity when it comes to Iran...and it is getting old. We need to back off here a little before the real WW3 starts.We will not be at war with Iran alone....so you think we have the power to fight Russia and China and their allies? Really?
He didn't fool the people who found no evidence of such weapons. He apparently only fooled people who had an interest in taking over that country, who then fooled the people who elected him.
I'm not sure if you are a troll, or just the lowest common denominator.
OK guys look.....so I have my head thinking right....we took out a dictator that needed to be taken out because he "feared" the country we are now trying to invade Iran? So we got rid of Saddam why? If he had intended to go after Iran that would have saved us the trouble....see how it all does not make any sense at ? If Saddam was Iran's enemy and I guess now Iran is our enemy......Iran was the enemy of our enemy? and they both hated each other and hated us mutually? wow I need a nap. and infant mortality is up 6000% per month and climbing since we brought "stability by removing Saddam...that is stable? oh I know it will be eventually right? So all the poor innocent 1 million woman and children killed or died due to this act is justified how?...the idea of a stable Iraq in the future sometime?
Bill Clinton one of the people that was fooled
Clinton had the Jewish lobbies whispering in his ear about WMD. He had the Mossad telling the US that yes indeed, Iraq has WMD. Clinton did not get his ideas in a vacumn. They were fed to him by neocons, the newspapers and the lobbiests.
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli intelligence overplayed the threat posed by Iraq and reinforced the U.S. and British assessment that Saddam Hussein had large amounts of weapons of mass destruction, a retired Israeli general said Thursday.
The Israeli assessment may have been colored by politics, including a desire to see the Iraqi leader toppled, said Shlomo Brom, who was a senior Israeli military intelligence officer and is now a researcher with Israel's top strategic think tank.
Brom stopped short of accusing Israeli intelligence officials of intentionally misleading Britain and the United States.
His assertions could, however, undermine the reputation of the Israeli intelligence service, one of the most respected in the world.
The Israeli military declined comment, while other experts said Brom was exaggerating.
In an article in Strategic Assessment, a publication of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, Brom said weapons of mass destruction probably would not be found in significant quantities in Iraq.
He said Israeli intelligence overplayed the potential danger before the war. Based on intelligence warnings that a U.S.-led invasion could trigger an Iraqi missile attack on Israel, possibly with chemical or biological weapons, the Israeli military ordered citizens to update their gas mask kits. As the war began, the military told Israelis to prepare for an imminent attack and carry the masks with them everywhere.
Israelis largely ignored the order, and even Cabinet ministers were seen without the kits. In the end, Iraq did not fire missiles at Israel.
During the 1991 Gulf War, Saddam's forces fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel, and all had conventional warheads, causing considerable damage but few casualties.
Brom told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday that "Israeli intelligence was a full partner with the United States and Britain in developing a false picture of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction capability."
Brom said the Israeli assessment may have been influenced by politics. "Israel has no reason to regret the outcome of the war in Iraq," he wrote, noting Saddam was an implacable enemy.
Brom ended his 25-year military career in 1998. Career officers in Israel traditionally maintain close ties with military colleagues after their retirement.
Yossi Sarid, an opposition member of parliament, demanded an inquiry. "If political factors interfere with intelligence assessments, heaven help us. That is the greatest danger," he told Israel Radio, adding that Israel's credibility could suffer.
"When we present dire information about Iran's arming itself with nuclear weapons, who's going to take us seriously? They can say, 'You exaggerated about Iraq, too,'" Sarid said.
It is happening now. The Israelis are exaggerating about Iran and the Zionist owned media is putting it out there for the American public to consume. Why does MSNBC, in their headline, refer to Iran's nuclear energy program as a nuke program? Answer: to create a bogey man out of Iran, the same way they did Iraq.
Pakistan has lots of nuclear weapons and on the verge of civil wars. No one cares!
It is another ploy by Saudi Arabia, oil companies and their lobbyists to raise oil prices like in Iraq 2003!
No wonder, many EU nations are bankrupt!
With treaths like these and more hanging over the Iranians head and oil embargo from the western world could be considered a contract breach from whom ever buys oil from Iran and abides to that embargo.
Any country abiding to this stupid embargo should be immidiatly be cut of from receiving any oil from Iran.
This will drive the oil prices up and create an even bigger economic mess EXCEPT for the Chinese. They can and will buy any oil that they can lay their hands on. More for them less for the rest.
Let's not forget that the Chinese are on a world wide shopping spree for EVERYTHING. Buying large land tracts in Africa, part owners in the Canadian tar sands, and as in insult to the USA they have been getting very large contracts with the Afghan government for their resources. The USA is already missing the boat on that one to their chagrin.
Sending their kids of to Afghanistan to spread "democracy"and die there and then not getting any of the rewards.
Sure Iran will be hurt but it will be more of an incentive to build that "bomb" if they haven't already to keep the dogs, USA, AIPAC and Israel, at bay.
Things could get interresting if the Chinese will sell the Iranians a few ABSM Dong Feng DF-21D's. The carriers will be glass bottom boats tourist treats
I haven't served in the military, but I've been on here before speaking about two men I care about deeply, who've done combined, over ten tours. It is my generation who will be left to eat the (pardon my french, but sometimes it needs to be said) SH!$%#-sandwhich, and pay for the SH$%#-sandwhich. And, when we eventually barf it up, because after all it's a SH$%#-sandwhich, it will be my future children who'll get to mop up the puke.
I beg of the generation ahead of me, the baby boomers, to pass us the keys before you bomb anyone else. The consequences of both the battles and bills, will be placed on me and mine's shoulders, not yours. And I promise you, those who take the brunt of these wars upon them, advocate for diplomacy.
It is the establishments of both Iran and the U.S. that cause the discord. If you want to solve the issue with Iran, I say take five Americans from my generation, and five Iranians from my generation, lock us in a room, and watch us figure out how to get along.
And all the while, I hear "Christians" screaming about the sanctity of life, and living morally. Well please, tell me...
Who would Jesus bomb?
Recipe for World War.
1. Years or ignoring the build-up of a dictator nation.
2. Then attempt to negotiate and appease.
3. Impose sanctions when they do not.
4. Abandon Israel as an Allie.
5. Get France involved.
6. Re-Elect a weak leader.
7. Impose embargo's
8. Forget the old recipe.
wow impressive logic. Written like a true ignorant.
This whole deal should not lead to an American war we have had enough! As far as supporting Israel they have shown many times that they are capable of handling the muslims without the USA going to war,and yes we should continue supporting our ally Israel with political and logistic support, If they deem it necessary to take out Iranian nuclear facilities just as they have done in the past to nuclear facilities in Syria and Iraq. If Obama goes to war again without congressional approval I believe congress should move to IMPEACH OBAMA!
kannez,
Great response! It's easy to critisize but hard to come up with a solution. You chose the easy path.
What is your solution for this problem?
Khannez will kick back and pop open another cold one - his third of the morning already!
That's his solution.
Those of you morons who think this is all about Israel need to get your head out of your a$$e$. Was it about Israel in the late 70'swhen Iran took Americans hostage? Is it all about Israel when Iran sends weapons and people to kill Americans in Iraq? Iraq is governed by religious extremists that do not like anyone who does not think like they do. Kind of like Republicans. They are not threatening us over Israel they are threatening us because we represent a roadblock for them to take over the region and imposing their brand of religious zealotry on others. Again kind of like Republicans. With the exception of their major cities they are still stuck way back in time, they don't need nuclear power they want a bomb so they can take over all they survey. Ask yourself why would someone threaten us with 1960 F4 fighter jets and speedboats, is that sane logical thinking, I agree we do not need any more wars. We certainly did not need the last one that Bush, Cheney and the rest of the hole in the head gang decided we needed. We know Iraq was not threatening us or our allies. We know and knew then there were no WMD. But we just could not concentrate on those who did attack us, we had to include Iraq. And where did that get us further into the hole that Bush and Cheney had already dug us into. Now Iran on the other hand is threatening to annihilate another country and all of its people openly and repeatedly. They are threatening our armed forces openly and repeatedly and if you think they are just after power for those in their way out hovels you need to pay a little more attention, this kind of talk and action is what really deserves attention not what a couple of a$$holes come up with in a back room so that they can get some more money and oil.
Funny that you single out Khannez for criticizing without offering a solution when YellaHammer did that too.
I'll also ignore that you chose the easy path and criticized Khannez's post without offering a solution for the problem. I certainly would not be one to point out that somebody is doing exactly what they criticize others for.
i don`t know what your talking about Obama has done a 1000% better job then bush and his lieing theives anybody that has a half of brain knows that iran will bomb the US if they ever get a bomb. and besides we`re not invading iran their the ones that are pushing the buttons if you were a country and you really only wanted nuke power for energy then you wouldn`t care if the world wanted to see what your doing if you had nothing to hide would you. remember we thought that pakistan and N korea wasn`t building the bomb. and like we need another unstable country that would love to wipe us off the map. remember they don`t care if they live or die its what they live for is to kill themselves and see how many people they can take with them.
Yes DPCahill, it is all about Israel. It is Israel and Jews behind all of these sanctions on Iran. Just about any time the US comes up with a bill to place sanctions on Ira, it is spocored by a Jewish Congressman. Right now there is a bill to stop the flow of Iranian oil,H.R. 1655, written by Brad Sherman, Jew Congressman from California, working hard for Israel. Here is a YOU Tube vieo of Brad Sherman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14ltNYrScjc
Its time to stop electing Congressmen and women, whose first loyalty is to Israel. These idiotic sanctions hurt the people of Iran. They hurt the people of America, by causing the prices of oil, gasoline and new roads to rise in the US. Americans can no longer afford to be fighting wars and sacrificing our economy for Israeli paranoia.
February 2011: National intelligence director James Clapper affirms in testimony before Congress that “Iran is keeping the option open to develop nuclear weapons in part by developing various nuclear capabilities and better position it to produce such weapons, should it choose to do so," Mr. Clapper said. "We do not know, however, if Iran will eventually decide to build nuclear weapons."
These sanctions are immoral. Iran has done nothing to warrant having these sanctions placed upon them.
DPCahilll ...Iran taking over the whole region?? I think you must be talking about the US....it is the US that has military bases in every single country in the Middle east except Iran and Syria ...it is the US that has invaded or attacked or occupied Iraq, Pakistan, Afganistan, Libya, Sudan, Iran has not attacked nor invaded any other country nor do they have any bases outside of Iran...
When you bring up the Hostage crisis......dont forget to add that the US overthrew Irans democratically elected President in 1953 and installed our puppet for 25 years....Isnt overthrowing a foreign govt an act of war???.
Iran is not threatening to annihilate Israel as you say.....that quote by Ahmajinadad has been mistranslated and been debunked......If Iran wanted to kill jews they would just start with the large Jewish comunity living in Iran already....
Historically speaking, Middle Eastern peoples have always been a volitile people who do not value human life and find honor in violence. That is why they always seem to end up being ruled by violent dictators.
Look at Iraq. Even after being offered a better way of life through freedom and democracy, the people of Iraq have fallen back into their old violent ways.
RalphH,
Your swastika is showing. Pull up your black uniform coat and go and warm yourself by the fires at Auschwitz.
Retired smoker: How about the idea that trying to negotiate with Iran should not be considered a scenerio where world war starts? YellaHammer initiated that its a fact that doing what we've been trying is going to start a world war. You insinuate that this is his answer to a solution and ask for Khannez's. The initial premise was nothing more than hate mongering. Did he vote for the last president who did some of the same things and ignored Iran when he was building a case against Iraq? Iraq was Iran's balance. We liked neither but they hated each other. Now we've supplied Iran with a foil for their calling setting up a Shiite country on their border. Too much American gold and life has been spilled to help "calm" the middle east. So I ask you: what's your alternative to what's being done so far? Start another war?
@NC
You do know that the swastika symbol has no historical connection to Nazism. Please review your history before attempting to make a glib comment.
Lets face it Iran will have a nuclear weapon. Hopefully Israel and Iran
will blow each other back to the stoneage, which isnt far because both
the Jews and Muslims are backwards compared to the Western world.
This is an issue caused by colonialism. We should expect nothing different from a country that contains three groups that hate eachother, confined by arbitrarily-drawn boundaries. Colonialism was perpetuated by playing up ethnic frictions and pitting groups against eachother.
The same thing that is happening in Iraq is what has happened and is still happening in the former colonies in Africa.
Same story, different region.
Get a clue, Virginia.
All this means...in the mean time..is you and I pay more for gasoline...nothing more...but just more of your money
When this all started with Kuwait I predicted all of this. I've always professed that Iran was always the end goal, the prize; those who believe anything different are simply being naive. Kuwait, Iraq, Afganistan, and the destailbization of Pakistan's government were all strategic deversions devised to encircle and then end Iran's present day theocracy. Think about it, a call to a Holy war means far less when those who must join in on it have been disbanded, disarmed, and are infighting to survive. Iran arrogantly made the mistake of making a threats that they'll eventually have to follow through with; and when it does, it too will be strategically dismantled.
ChuckinOlathe
Defending the swastika from being associated with Nazi? You've lost your way son. Go back to talking to your reflection in the mirror.
Islamic fanatic Iranian leaders are stupid. Do you expect them to have any senses?
They should stop the nuclear program.
They can easily buy or steal nuclear weapons from Pakistan. Why reinvent existing wheel?
All this boils down to is more oil for China to buy. In a world with the demand for oil like our's, there will always be a market.
I agree. EU is just damaging itself by following the US blindly. Be smart and think about its future. US is in Israeli hands on Iran issue.
The oil first has to leave Iran. If it's blocked that can't very well happen can it? Now if one of Iran's neighbors **cough Russia cough** helps move the oil to the north...
Jack,
OK. How will theRussians move it and to where?
Hope by know most know the real culprits or villians behind 2003 Iraqi war with similar excuses as now.
Since 2003, oil future traders, rating agencies, Wall Street and some more Saudi puppets transferred five trillion dolars from oil importing nations to oil exporting nations.
Just examine: who became richer after 2003 Iraqi wars and who are on streets?
EU leaders are most stupid and more than Iranian mullahs!
This Iran business is another ploy by same culprits.
Pakistan has lots of nuclear weapons on sale or for stealing!
Why no one cares?
Please Iran, stop shipping oil to these bullies and let's see what happens.
China, India, Asia will buy that oil. US don't get oil. Europe is not going to get oil.
Once again you ignore the obvious. It can't float through the air now can it?
With this Iran business like 2003 Iraqi business, oil prices will soar.
The embargo is nothing more than a contract breach.
Stop sending oil to those countries immediatly and sue them (its is the American way)
In a few years China will be the world largest resource consumerso if they can lock in all the oil supplies from Iran than Japan and Europe will be screaming murder over China hogging all the resources.
They will forget that they themselves created that nightmare.
Another economic crisis on the horizon, bunch of dumb b*astards we have as leaders. OH Sorry our leaders are put in place by the large corporations and AIPAC
The idea is to stop Iran from creating nuclear power, for whatever purpose. Thing is, the Iranian does not think like we do. It is do or die with them. They don't care what any of us think, no matter what their purpose is. Us, the French, U.K., or whoever else, sticking their thumb up their noses and saying "Nani nani poor poo on you, we'll have it our way", does not work with these people (Iranians), it only makes them more determined because of a type of pride that they have (doesn't mean I approve of it, just means that it is what it is) and won't let go of anything in a "nice" way. They have been warriors from the beginning of time and still are. Yep, recipe for WWIII, here it comes. WHEN!!----are we ever going to concentrate on our own Homeland and get the heck out of everybody else's!! We need to be shoring up our own physical land, instead of trying to get everyone to bend to our demands, whether the other country is right or wrong. Now, if they attack us on our own soil, that's another whole matter!
when they do attack it will be real sneaky, and with a nuke! may be we will only lose a few million.
Iran has not attacked any country in at least 100 years.
It's only been attacked, and with our help too. After all, we and our allies helped supply them with the chemical and biological weapons they'd use during the Iran/Iraq war
What ?? Did you not hear of the US, Iran hostage stand off, the Iran,Iraq war that they started or the attack of Iran on the USS Cole, you need a history book. And we sold weapons to both sides in the war between Iran Iraq .
Are you saying Iran is predictable and would never do anything rash? REALLY!?!?
Sorry but i dont get it... the ONLY country in the world which has ever USED nukes is worried that other countries may achieve it?!!
I think Iran is not stupid enough to use nukes. they now it is a suicide. so dont worry
it's for bragging **IF** they're trying to get nuke.
So the EU has decided to shoot itself in the collective foot? AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get the @!$%# out of the Middle East leave the Iranians alone bring our solders home and feed the hungry here in the US. Iran is not a threat to the US we do not need their oil.
mtex,
Iran is NOT a threat to us?!! Going through life with your head buried in the sand (so to speak) is no way to go through life. Iran is like the schoolyard bully; if you don't stand up to them they are not going to just walk away and leave you alone.
At this juncture in time the biggest threat posed by Iranian leaders is unfortunately to the Iranian people!
Israeli lobby people. Don't get blindsided. Israel wants Iran wiped off the map. Israel is using US military, money, lives to further their interests. Iran is far country from US so they are not a threat. Iran is next to Israel.
Retired Smoker:
Great comments.
Iran's main goal in their sick Government's mind is to be the most Powerful Country in the World. They are slowly getting there, by using all Terrorist Groups to commit heinous, murderous acts. EU has had plenty of them.
EU is taking a hard stand against the Dictatorship of Iran---Ahdinemajad, the Khomeni's may be more intimidated by EU, than the US. The US stands for weakness; ignoring the rest of the world, and what protects our American citizens. No one is listening from the US Government.
We must get tough on Iran. because each time Iran takes a "step", they are closer to the door of this Country, with a Nuke War here.
Canada is our largest supplier of Oil.
tom...I hate to agree but you may be right.
tom111, I almost detect a slight Persian accent in your post.
Show us when Iran has attacked or bullied other nations(US/UK/West)?
The US/UK backed a coup that put a puppet in power in Iran in the 50's. That led to the current type of fundamentalist theocracy Iran now has.
Who really started the problem here? the US/UK tried to monopolize Iran's resources, and created years of distrust and resentment among people of that region, against the US.
I'd want nuclear capability as well, if I were a leader of Iran. It's a deterrent that works.
How come we(the US) can have enough nukes to bomb every country on the planet 2 or 3 times over, yet we think we can dictate to others that they can't have any? How many nukes does Israel have?
Was it really feasible to give Israel nukes? If they bomb their neighbors, they will suffer the consequences of fallout too.
Saddam needed the pretense of having WMD's, to keep Iraq's enemies(Iran), at bay. Saddam didn't let the religious extremists run Iraq. Iraqi women had more rights, than many other Islamist nations.
Saddam was never going to attack the West(US/UK) or Israel. He didn't want to get wiped off the map.
As hardcore fundamentalists as Iran's leaders claim to be, they don't really want to die and lose their power/wealth.
They know that any attack on Israel, would initiate a massive response. Iranians aren't suicidal.
Tom111:
Yes, Iran is close to Israel-------------found that on the "Map".
So are the other Middle Eastern Countries. They will be destroyed as well, by a Nuclear Attack. Did you know that Nuclear Waste floats through the air, water, and Clouds. It's called "wind and debris"..
Have you ever heard of the "Domino Effect". That means LOGIC.
What if the Nuclear Missile did not hit it's target, and went astray. Are you going to be there?
Iranians already know how to build the bomb, and ultimately they will. The Earth is 4 billion years old, the Nuclear age is mere 55 years old. Proliferation is as inevitable as continental drift. There will be proliferation because survival depends on the implicit threat of attack when attacked. We are terrirorial, social apes that feel insecure unless we match the weapons of our neighbors.
Hydorgen fuses in the core of the sun due to mass and gravitational pressure. On tiny earth, hydrogen is fused in weapons in a bid to hold dominion over others, (social pressure). Proliferation is a form of escalation intended to deflect that dominion.
Proliferation of knowledge and technology is difficult to contain and is, sadly, inevitable.
Nukes didn't exist before 1957?
Math clearly isn't your strong point, I'll guess that reasoning on your own isn't either. Clearly your post is a conglomeration of cut & paste from other sources, some of which are going on 15 years old.
Hydrogen Bomb first exploded 1 Mar 1954 by (guess who) on the Bikini Atoll.
Ask the Japanese when the nuclear age commenced. They'll set it a good deal earlier than 1957.
UDunnoBro
There are 2 dates that mark the milestones of the Nuclear age. There is the fission bomb (7/16/45), and there is the fusion bomb, (11/1/1952). I probably should have used one or the other exact dates. Also, the earth is estimated at 4.54 billion not 4 billion years old. Clearly I didn't cut and paste. And Kudos to you for date accuracy.
I think you missed the entire point.
I see the WEST really wants another war...what I don't understand is WHY! Just doesn't make sense to me...why? But i'm just one of the 99%ers so I guess it isn't my business. Right?
Israel. Iran wants Israel gone. Israel wants Iran gone. Israel was founded in Muslim land, so muslims don't like Israel. Israel thinks Israel belongs to the Jewish people for centuries. Muslims are paranoid about their land. Israels' security is guaranteed by US. Israel will do anything for US. I just boiled it down.
tom111, yer so funny. Too bad you don't know what you're talking about. Please stop posting ignorance so other uninformed people don't get fooled with your anti-Isreal rhetoric. Israel is more controlled by the USA than vice versa. You have no farther back in history to look than G W Bush's administration to see how many times Israel was prevented from acting because the USA did not give permission. Seize a learning moment and research this yourself.
Israel is an ally, there is nothing wrong with our supporting them, just as we did Kuwait and Saudi Arabia during GHW Bush's time in office. The world itself (not just Israel) does not need nuclear proliferation in the unstable regions of the world like the Middle East. Actually the world doesn't need nuclear weapons at all, but that jinni is already out of the bottle so... too late. But it doesn't mean we shouldn't try to contain further proliferation as best we can. And the sovereign nations have a right to sanction based upon their laws against whichever country they choose. It's too bad for Iran that their leaders are too hard-headed to know when to stop.
So all you anti-Israel bigots, please stop it with the ignorance. It's old and boring and makes you look foolish. There is nothing wrong with Israel wanting to protect itself from those who seek to do harm.
Stop all aid to Israel. It is a nation of parasites, led by terrorists.
If Israel wants to protect themselves, let them do it alone. Iran is threatening no one. Israel has been threatening Iran for more than 10 years, insisting Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons. Israel's leaders said Iran would have nuclear weapons 10years ago if they were not stopped. The time is up and Iran still has no nuclear weapons, proving Israel has been just talking through their a$$.
February 2011: National intelligence director James Clapper affirms in testimony before Congress that “Iran is keeping the option open to develop nuclear weapons in part by developing various nuclear capabilities and better position it to produce such weapons, should it choose to do so," Mr. Clapper said. "We do not know, however, if Iran will eventually decide to build nuclear weapons."
Here is an article where a retired Israeli general admits Israel was giving the US false intel on Iraq. 4500 US soldiers died for Israel's lies and the war will cost in excess of 3 trillion dollars, all because of the Zionists in the Pentagon and the Mossad. I don't make this stuff up.
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli intelligence overplayed the threat posed by Iraq and reinforced the U.S. and British assessment that Saddam Hussein had large amounts of weapons of mass destruction, a retired Israeli general said Thursday.
The Israeli assessment may have been colored by politics, including a desire to see the Iraqi leader toppled, said Shlomo Brom, who was a senior Israeli military intelligence officer and is now a researcher with Israel's top strategic think tank.
Brom stopped short of accusing Israeli intelligence officials of intentionally misleading Britain and the United States.
His assertions could, however, undermine the reputation of the Israeli intelligence service, one of the most respected in the world.
The Israeli military declined comment, while other experts said Brom was exaggerating.
In an article in Strategic Assessment, a publication of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, Brom said weapons of mass destruction probably would not be found in significant quantities in Iraq.
He said Israeli intelligence overplayed the potential danger before the war. Based on intelligence warnings that a U.S.-led invasion could trigger an Iraqi missile attack on Israel, possibly with chemical or biological weapons, the Israeli military ordered citizens to update their gas mask kits. As the war began, the military told Israelis to prepare for an imminent attack and carry the masks with them everywhere.
Israelis largely ignored the order, and even Cabinet ministers were seen without the kits. In the end, Iraq did not fire missiles at Israel.
During the 1991 Gulf War, Saddam's forces fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel, and all had conventional warheads, causing considerable damage but few casualties.
Brom told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday that "Israeli intelligence was a full partner with the United States and Britain in developing a false picture of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction capability."
He said Israeli intelligence "badly overestimated the Iraqi threat to Israel and reinforced the American and British belief that the weapons existed."
Brom said the Israeli assessment may have been influenced by politics. "Israel has no reason to regret the outcome of the war in Iraq," he wrote, noting Saddam was an implacable enemy.
Brom ended his 25-year military career in 1998. Career officers in Israel traditionally maintain close ties with military colleagues after their retirement.
Yossi Sarid, an opposition member of parliament, demanded an inquiry. "If political factors interfere with intelligence assessments, heaven help us.
tom111 ------Israel's geographic location was Jewish land long, long before the Muslims invaded the area after 632 A.D. If someone comes in with force and violence and takes your house, is it now the invaders land?
RalphH,
Your swastika is STILL showing.
gary:
so by that "reasoning", Native Americans(including some indigenous Mexican people) have the right to gather their own military, and take a sizeable chunk of the US/North America back and call it their own country, right?
The area of modern day Israel and Palestine, was populated by peoples of many different religions and beliefs. They lived with peoples of other cultures for thousands of years(yes, sometimes fought amongst themselves).
@Nc
Your historical ignorance is STILL showing
Ralph, you're a lowlife. Please go get one of your many firearms, and shoot yourself. There isn't enough air in the world for lumps of excrement such as yourself and anybody unlucky enough to share your bloodline.
I hate to say this "Iran's oil" their collective decision. Only concern I have with Iran is their continued threats regarding Israel and America. I am against their ambitions to achieve Nuclear capability because of the threatening.
Well they are never more than 12 hours away from having that capability.
RetiredSmoker, We do not need to stand up to Iran our military is the big bully. Again they are not a threat what in your brain dead head do you not understand
Mtex,
Iran is a threat to our allies in the ME and to world peace. If they get a nuke, they do not need to fire it at us. They can mail it or assemble it here in the US or in Europe. These folks are nuts and can't be allowed to have weapon such as this.
They must be stopped and we can stop them along with other like-minded nations.
NC - Other's can't have a nukes because they are nuts. So we are not nuts :) and can have as many as we want. Plus we can stop them (by what dropping a nuke on them).
I said it before and I'll say it again - We we be in another war (Iran) before next November ! Too many congress folks and Repub candidates are hot to go to war. Only God knows why - unless to bring America to its knees and allow the Banks and Corporations take over without a bunch of young kids complaining.
I agree we need to get the hell out of the middle east and bring our troops home. We need to tell Isreal we can't support any more of their WARS!!! They are not our friend. REMEMBER THE U.S.S. LIBERTY.
The clock is ticking.....Iranian bubbleboy is running out of cards to play and is quickly painting himself into a corner. He couldn't turn back now if he wanted to without exposing himself as the perfect ass that he is. Make no doubt about it, he is going to cause some major pain in the world. In the end. he will destroy himself and the innocents in his own country. These power hungry little men never seem to learn..
I'm not bashing Israel, but US needs to be reasonable. Israel, Palestine, Iran conflict will last a long time, but there shouldn't be 100% war mentality from the US. Israel should figure it out with their allies. If they really had that land for many centuries, they should have the ability to figure out their situation. Licking US boots to get their protection is retarded. Iran is defensive and paranoid. Israel is defensive and paranoid. Muslims are paranoid about their muslims lands being taken over. Israel is exactly in the middle of this issue. US is just an outsider to be honest.
Good, because Israel is not bashing you...
Yes, the poor, poor muslims. With their 1.5 billion followers and their trillions in oil, they've somehow managed to convince all of the world's morons and apologists that they're the victims here.
Anybody here who feels sympathy for this mass of people, and sees Israel as the enemy, will be in for a rude awakening in the decades to come. Israel will likely be the one oasis on this planet where the parasite of Islam is dealt with accordingly. After it vanishes from the Earth, the world will be a Muslim planet, destined to parish under the weight of infinite ignorance and fanaticism.
Keep apologising for them. Keep sympathising with them. They'll be dancing around your headless bodies sooner rather than later.
You're making too much sense Raisa. People don't like that.
Keep posting, we need more women on here.
Raisa,
Israel has some responsibility to stand on its own. In your ranting there I don't see where you make the argument that America needs to defend Israel and why. You seem to think that if Israel "falls" (which before it was created technically was the case) then the rest of the world will become muslim run. I think you fail to notice that most of the world's muslim population is confined to a pretty specific area. What would make you think that the US's fortunes live or die with Israel is beyond anyone reading this board. If you want to support Israel, fine, but don't make stupid comments about America's future somehow being dependent on what happens to Israel. We were fine before her and will be fine after.
Wake me up when the shooting starts.
I am interested to see Iran block the straight....
Should make for some interesting video on YouTube.
The Iranina business model, buy our products or we will kill you or blow up your business etc........I guess they got it from the Mafia.
How can ANY middle east country (Iran, Afgan, etc) be a threat to the US ? What ever happened to the planes I saw fly over the stadiums at the football games ? What ever happer to napalm, B1 bombers, M60 tanks ? Most of all OUR nuclear weapons ? Are we just a big white elephant ? Or should I say PUSSY, as they called the cowards when I was in the USMC.
Larry
why are we even still burning foreign oil? anyone else see that using our own own sources of energy - our oil, gas, solar, thermal - would keep us out of this kind of c**p???
vinnie,
Agreed. Oops, we don't have those alternatives yet.
NC - 492358. I am trusting that your comment is a joke.. we have PLENTY of alternatives.
Iran is a threat to the whole world because its nuclear weapons are in the hands of a madman. Pakistan has nukes too, and nobody is scared of them dropping the bomb, because their leaders are sane. Ahmadinejad talks about wiping other countries off the map instead of prosperity and peace for his own people. The Saudi Arabians, who certainly have no love for Israel, are as terrified of a nuclear Iran as everyone else. Israel doesn't want U.S. soldiers, it wants to share intelligence with the U.S. (info from their own spy satellite is given to the Pentagon). By the way, any military aid to Israel helps create American jobs, as Israel is required to spend it in the U.S.A. Factories in South Carolina produce all of the uniforms for the Israeli army.
Seceretary of Defense Leon Panetta stated on Face the Nation that Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program, Secretary of Defense of Israel stated that Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program....all 16 US intelligence concluded Iran does not have a Nuke weapons program.....Iran is our crosshairs only because they refuse to submit to American dominance and hegemony and of course because they have OIL....
Once again it is striking.....The nation that has the largest nuclear arsenal and the largest arsenal of WMDS is threatening to attack a much smaller nation that has NO WMDS based on the pretext that they are being threatend by WMDS !!! The hipocracy here is laughable....
Rezzno - Why do you post things that are not true? Iran does not have nukes and their nuclear enrichment is monitored by the IAEA, because they, unlike Israel, signed the nuclear non proliferation treaty. If they enrich beyond 20%, the amount needed for medical isotopes, we will kow and then proceed to stop them. Until then, if it ever happens, Iran is totally in the right and we are in the wrong, by attemping to strangle their economy, an act of war, on behalf of Israel.
Israel is the real problem in the ME, as they have made numerous false flag attacks on the US and other countries.
And of course, Ralph, Iran will tel us when they are producing more enriched uranium than they are supposed to.
Cover your swastike; it is embarrassing.
@NC
Jeesuz, this is the third reference to the swastika you've made in this posting so far. Maybe YOU'RE a closet Nazi and can't come out yet.
No NC, The IAEA is monitoring Iran's nuclear enrichment. They will tell us if Iran attempts to go beyond the 20% enrichment, required for medical isotopes.
Why don't you call me anti semetic? It is obvious you cannot repudiate my posts with any proof. Name calling is a tool of an ignorant person.
It is Israel and Jews behind all of these sanctions on Iran. Just about any time the US comes up with a bill to place sanctions on Ira, it is spocored by a Jewish Congressman. Right now there is a bill to stop the flow of Iranian oil,H.R. 1655, written by Brad Sherman, Jew Congressman from California, working hard for Israel. Here is a YOU Tube vieo of Brad Sherman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14ltNYrScjc
Its time to stop electing Congressmen and women, whose first loyalty is to Israel. These idiotic sanctions hurt the people of Iran. They hurt the people of America, by causing the prices of oil, gasoline and new roads to rise in the US. Americans can no longer afford to be fighting wars and sacrificing our economy for Israeli paranoia.
February 2011: National intelligence director James Clapper affirms in testimony before Congress that “Iran is keeping the option open to develop nuclear weapons in part by developing various nuclear capabilities and better position it to produce such weapons, should it choose to do so," Mr. Clapper said. "We do not know, however, if Iran will eventually decide to build nuclear weapons."
These sanctions are immoral. Iran has done nothing to warrant having these sanctions placed upon them.
Wow RalphH once Israel is destroyed whatever will you do with all that free time. Anyone else in the cross-hairs, America maybe?
Kate, I believe if Iran were to send a nuke to Israel then we would wipe them from the earth. BTW I believe due to its proximity, Iran would get the nuclear fallout from a bombing of Israel. (someone can keep me honest here). I don't disagree that we should try to deal with iran but the point that this whole ordeal is mostly about Israel's defense is true. Some don't mind that. Some do. But to argue that point is not logical. Iran can't even reach the US with a missile.
The Iranians made their point and the war mongers and Israeli-firsters are too dumb to recognize what just happened before the world .... those American-Israeli war games planned for the Gulf of Persia and surrounding waters off the coast of Iran, have been put on hold presumably ... but more likely they will not ever be held ... hence now that Iran has declared that no military provocations close to her shores will be tolerated, the US and her puppets less Israel, have made it appear that they are keeping Hormuz open despite Iranians threats to close it. Not so, Iran was threatening to close it only if those military provocations occured so close to her territory. And she made her point ... the exercise was called off and now the US is trying to save face.
Iran has no ability to stop anything other than their own oil production and they are too greedy to do that.
Does anyone find it amusing how worthless polititians can stand in front of cameras flexing their sphincters and bellowing the most pious hypocritical b.s. then go and hide while the rest get to protect their corporate masters business interests?..I dont.
Why does the U.S. even care if Iran has nukes in the first place? Have we not done enough there? We supported terrorists that killed scientists...what does that make the U.S.? Could that make us hypocrites? Why yes, yes it does, "do as I say not as I do". Is that not how an "example to humanity" should act? Why no, no it is not.
If they really wanted to get their hands on a warhead I am sure they could buy one from some country, somewhere. It is more a matter of national pride imo, to develop it themselves as much as they can. That way they have more political influence in the region and with Israel.
Who actually said that Iran would shut down the Strait of Hormuz, which person in the government? Was it the supreme ruler or President of Iran? I do not think so and it was someone in the military who made that statement. I do not agree with Iran on everything as they support the current ruler of Syria, but this is also the govenment, and not representative of how the average person there actually thinks. Imagine if our government represented how the American people actually thought and acted.
If only Israel and the Zionists did not do things that required them to worry so much and watch their backs. When you live the "thug" life, how else do you expect people to react? Am I supposed to feel sorry because a thug is worried and cannot sleep well at night? Am supposed to feel sorry for thugs because their lives may be in danger when they are the ones that picked that style of life. Trying to say that God told you to and that it is "ok" does not make any sense in the context of the rest of the text. I have told you what to do and how to fix it, but no one ever wants to listen. We would much rather kill each other over material...bunch of Ahabs (Achabs).
I think the whole genocide thing from the 1940s made them watch their backs, Tired. People like you only serve to justify this attitude.
Here's an idea........How about we don't continue to block efforts to decrease our dependency on foreign oil?? Keystone Pipeline anyone? ....Anyone ???
How about we tap into our own resources right here at home ?? Thus leaving the oil rich nations that exploit us to EAT SAND !!!!!
Keystone pipeline, but build it to cross over to new refineries built in the states closest to Canada, no need to run it all the way to the gulf and refine it in already built, already staffed texas refineries - that does not give any long term jobs, however, building new refineries closer to Canada will give long term jobs - that is what bonner and mcconnell need to understand, because that is what most of American wants, just not texas, and who cares what texas wants? Not me.
According to a study conducted for the DoE, the Keystone XL project, even if completed, will not reduce our imports of oil from the Middle East. However, reducing demand for oil in general could potentially eliminate our need for oil from the Middle East. The answer to this problem is both simpler and harder than finding new oil to buy, or finding new ways to drill for oil (although I agree we may have to do those things). How about trying to simply use less oil?
Makes sense to me Union .....I like the sounds of that,,,but when will our elected leaders make any damn sense??
Oh, in case you need a link, go to www (dot) policyinnovations.org/ideas/policy_library/data/01614
In a nutshell, the Keystone XL project will enhance gulf refineries export capacity, but will have little impact on domestic supplies.
Jelly ...we are using less. The key will be using less of theirs...
I think you posted on the wrong article.
PValdes,
Great idea. Oops...our acting president stopped that..and also the creation of thousands of jobs.
JellyBelly,
Oil increases in production affect the world oil market prices and, therefore, WILL affect our domestic supplies.
NC- I know that our wonderful President stopped the pipeline . He is you know a genius ...in his own mind .
Thank God Obama stopped the Keystone XL pipeline. Where was the right when he proposed the jobs act? Remember--the job act that Republicans fought against that will create many more thousands of jobs than the 20,000 temporary jobs for XL without threatening our enviroment (and sending China Canadian oil.)
He also said Iran could try to push oil prices upward by creating further instability in Iraq, hitting that country's oil exports; make "serious trouble" for NATO in Afghanistan; and also put "huge pressure" on other Gulf oil exporters and "at worst" threaten oil facilities."
IRAN is already doing this
need to update your reporters im thinking
also iran says its not producing nukes
but their president almondjoy is nuts about removing isreal from the face of this planet
one big duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh for all who think iran wont become a nuke power
"but their president almondjoy is nuts about removing isreal from the face of this planet" When the head of state of a sovereign country says things like that, it does get attention and must be taken seriously. By the way, their vice-president is not nuts, I believe his name is mounds.
Hahahahaha,,,,,,,,,Conspiracy theories abound, Iran is Iran, They threaten to pull some kind of BS every few years just like North Korea, If they didn't the world would forget they exist, If they ever actually come through on a threat they know as well as anyone else they will no longer exist.
Speak softly,,,,and carry a big ship!
Bo, your point is noted but it would be a mistake to bet the farm on there being no difference in the mentality between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People's Republic of Korea. Very clearly, the PRKs intention is nuclear blackmail, pure and simple. They have a low-yield nuke or two or three and have already amassed a track record of using it to extort money rather than turning sand into glass. Iran does not have a nuke (yet) and the only track record they have so far is stating their intention to use it as soon as they can without regard for the consequences. Significant difference there.