Editor's Note: Meir Javedanfar is an Iranian – Israeli Middle East analyst and the co-author of The Nuclear Sphinx of Tehran: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and The State of Iran. The following post was originally published in The Diplomat, a stellar international current-affairs magazine for the Asia-Pacific region.
By Meir Javedanfar, The Diplomat
The Iranian regime can live without its nuclear program. But it can’t live without its economy, and the recently imposed sanctions, if continued, could turn into an existential danger for the Iranian regime by precipitating an economic collapse.
The sanctions imposed against Iran’s central bank in December 2011, which have started to dissuade an increasing number of countries from buying oil from Iran as they have to deal with the bank, are proving particularly damaging. These sanctions came in addition to a move by the EU that prompted the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) to discontinue offering service to Iranian banks. This means that from now on, Iranian banks won’t be able to send and receive money to and from the vast majority of banks abroad. Ultimately, this could mean Iranian businesses having to send suitcases full of banknotes to suppliers or abroad - or even to stop trading altogether.
A $900 billion economy simply can’t be run like this.
If there’s one thing we know about Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei it’s that nothing is more important to him than the stability of his regime. The West must therefore use the current economic weakness and diplomatic isolation of the regime as a tool with which to change Khamenei’s current nuclear policies.
First, though, it’s worth looking at what’s missing from the West’s approach to Iran: a clear message to Iran’s supreme leader that even if he does build a bomb, or just reaches a breakout capability, the sanctions and isolation won’t end. In fact, the opposite should be true: they will continue or even get worst.
Although Western intelligence agencies have suggested that Khamenei hasn’t actually made the decision to make a bomb, the price that he’s already paying for the nuclear program seems to suggest that he wants to reserve this option. Otherwise, why go through all this pain? His calculation appears to be that Iran can continue along its current path, paying a price for doing so, but that the costs of its continued defiance will end once he has made his decision and the country produces a bomb. After all, why would sanctions aimed at deterrence continue once Iran has secured a bomb? What would be the point? And with the end of the sanctions, Khamenei could recover by doing business with the rest of the world again.
Iran: Between U.S. and a Hard Place
But by making clear that sanctions will be continued even if Iran manages to build a bomb, the West will be sending a message to Iran’s leader that the sooner he reaches a deal with the West, the lower the economic cost will be. Similarly, if he decides to continue, the longer he waits, the more the country’s economy will pay. The regime can’t continue with the economic status quo indefinitely. If the economy collapses, nothing will be able to save it or stave off the regime-threatening instability that would come with it.
Sending this clear message could also encourage other influential players in Iranian politics, notably the Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), to pressure Khamenei now, rather than later. More than ever, the IRGC is these days very much about its business interests. It runs a huge business empire, which includes the real estate and construction sector, manufacturing, and a massive import empire reportedly worth around $20 billion annually.
It’s believed that these imports are exempt from tax and customs duty, but the IRGC could now be faced with the loss of much of its mini empire, with the SWIFT move making it difficult for it to pay its suppliers. Should the IRGC realize that the current sanctions really are open ended – or that they could get worse if Khamenei decides to go ahead and have a nuclear bomb constructed – expect Khamenei to come under pressure to change his nuclear policy now, rather than later. (And there’d be no better person to knock on Khamenei’s door than IRGC commander, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jaafari.
Still, it would be wishful thinking to believe that Khamenei, who is increasingly running the country as a kind of dictatorship, would be able to change his current nuclear policy without being offered a face saving compromise. Dictators are petrified of change, including Khamenei, who has invested so much of his regime’s legitimacy in the nuclear program.
To facilitate a compromise, the West will therefore have to offer Khamenei something. Allowing Iran to enrich uranium on its soil up to the 5 percent level would seem possible, under the condition that Iran answers all International Atomic Energy Agency questions, and opens its sites for strict inspection by the agency at all times. By making this offer, the West could energize those inside the regime, especially the IRGC business elites, who are unhappy with the price that they are currently paying for Khamenei’s nuclear policy.
Such a compromise would also make it easier for Khamenei to change course and accept U.N. and Western demands. It would also allow him to tell his constituents that that he got something in return for the pain that he has put the regime through.
The best outcome for the West and Israel would be to get Khamenei himself to change his current nuclear policy. War is very unlikely to do that. And there’s anyway another way. Making Khamenei realize that regime threatening economic pain is here is to stay even if he goes for the bomb, while also offering him a face saving way out, could bring about the result the West is looking for.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of Meir Javedanfar.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Iran has already show its will to compromise. It is west and particularly Israel (and its servants in USA) who are against any kind of compromise. Iran's offer is very simple : Iran will continue enrichment at 5% level and in return it will implement some measures to monitor its program more closely. Recently Larijani said (in an interview with CNN) that Iran is ready to accept permanent presence of IAEA investigators in its nuclear facility. What else they possibly want?
I suspect that the nuclear issue is not the problem at all and west using it as an alibi.
Iran has shown no compromise.... it has been stalling.
It hid the location of the one of the Kum nuclear site (until it realized it got found out)
It rejected every deal by the EU to enrich uranium abroad
It did not allow access to sites as requested by the Atomic Agency
It enriched vast anount of uranium to levels of 20% (more than needed for research and power)
It has been moving its facilities underground
It is not a coincidence that the IAEA believes that they are going towards developing nuclear capablities and if they are not, then why on earth would they put their citizens under the dreadful economic conditions and not simply allow IAEA full access???
"It hid the location of the one of the Kum nuclear site"
According to NPT Iran has NO obligation to disclose its nuclear facility until 6 month remains to introduce nuclear material.
"It rejected every deal by the EU to enrich uranium abroad"
According to NPT Iran has the right to enrich Uranium to any level
"It did not allow access to sites as requested by the Atomic Agency"
According to NPT Iran has the right to refuse giving access to military sites.
"It enriched vast anount of uranium to levels of 20% "
It is for Tehran reactor and Iran start doing so after west refused to sell Iran necessary fuel.
"It has been moving its facilities underground"
There is nothing illegal with that, What do you do if some one constantly threat to bomb your property?
In short, according to all evidences Iran did not violate anything yet. The reason that they do this is their business not yours. The only thing that you can expect is to make sure that Iran is not making a bomb and it is possible by installing enough equipment (which is installed) and also have physical presence (which Iran offered)
@ami
well said my friends i am 100% with you !
The author made a point. Despite the supreme leader's intransigence and stubborness, the top shots of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard are not insane. They are rational actors and covet – no doubt – their privileges and a good life. Sanctions bite and these people feel the economic noose that could be tightened the longer the sancitions last. Yes the West and Iran should compromise on an enrichment programme that is appropriate for civil purposes.
j. von hettlingen
We have followed your poisonous rantings and no matter what wordage you are using, you are still full of poison.You just go from one discussion to another sowing poison and hatred. Go back to your sandpit. Yallah!
It has been said Iran is a rational player. I used to think Saddam was a madman until I ascertained he was a rational player with different logic. Mid-east logic is different than Western logic. Saddam spat in the world's eye as it superior forces camped on its doorstep. Iran threatens with the same logic "who is afraid of bombs". No question they will carry nuclear weapon development to its end. If the USA or Isreal try to stop them, they will be attacked. Superior force is not a deterent. Bomb Iran now rather than later. There is also no question Iran will use nuclear weapons if developed.
Anyone who advocates murder and mayhem and chaos either of the perceived enemy and subsequently his or her people as collatoral damage is a nutbar. Point finit.
"Iran has already shown its will to compromise."
The message that Iran has been sending to the world is the Opposite.
"Iran's offer is very simple : Iran will continue enrichment at 5% level and in return it will implement some measures to monitor its program more closely."
Iran has continued to 20% already and kicked IAEA out of country.
"I suspect that the nuclear issue is not the problem at all and west using it as an alibi"
Are you now worried of all the bad things you have done in the past 30 years? Yes you should be worried about it.
Anybody who works with the Iranian Regime has to be worried.
@amir
"According to NPT Iran has NO obligation to disclose its nuclear facility until 6 month remains to introduce nuclear material."
did this happen with Natanz? Its amazing that you want to adher to NPT but not other international treaties like Human Rights and etc. Iran has not complied to Nonprofiliration Treaty as it already started enriching at its first sites before it was FORCED to comply with NPT.
"According to NPT Iran has the right to refuse giving access to military sites"
there are reports that Iran expreimented with Nuclear materials at that Site.
Iran failed to answer all the questions.
"It enriched vast amount of uranium to levels of 20% "
"It is for Tehran reactor and Iran start doing so after west refused to sell Iran necessary fuel."
great you need piles of 20% enriched uranium for a RESEARCH Reactor. Very logical!!
Well said. Iran has always they want to talk but U.S's idea of talks is threats do this or else. And what they want is for Iran to forgo it's right to have or enrich uranium. This is not about taking a deal but it's about standing up as a nation to being bullied. Americans have always used this bullying strategy. From Indians, to slavery and now Iran, Iraq... It has always been about wanting to take someone else's land, humanity, and right away from them.
That's how the devil deceive and deny.
But give peace a chance to work. The Iranian should tell Mr Ahmad, devil leave us.
we want your oil....for free.
and we will have it!
If this conflict was about getting oil for free an attack and sanctions wouldn't be on the table (Do the US have Iraqi or Libyan oil for free???)
This is happening despite the potential hike in oil price and the damage to the economy.
Anybody who is reading between the lines and seeing how many countries are supporting stopping Iran and what they are risking, should realize that behind the scenes the leaders think there is a real danger worth sacrificing a lot in order to avoid.
MiddleEasteinterpreter: No that's not true. The reason why all these countries are cutting off Iranian oil is because that b! tch Clinton forced them to do so. No sane country that licks US boots has done this so far so maybe you should count the number of countries that haven't cut off Iranian oil for now?
The US just threatend a dozen European countries with economic sanctions if they didn't cut off Iran's oil and you interpret this as "they really think there's a threat". Come on man, this is "how to bully your friends 101".
We are infact getting cheap oil from Iraq and soon (in not already) Libya.
Fareed-baba needs to do an artricle on "Who the F died and made America king of the world"...deciding who should dissarm and who is OK having WMDs without delcaring it.
This entire discussion revolves around uranium because it can power both reactors and fission bombs. That focus on uranium misses the obvious.
If Iran actually does compromise, and if the western nations are actually only concerned with the weapons potential and not other nuclear issues like terrorists getting dirty bombs, then the west should simply offer to give plans for a thorium reactor to Iran. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorium
Iran then gets nuclear power with almost no ability to create fission warheads.
The west should give such reactors to North Korea and other sponsors of terror while they're at it. If nothing else, the offer will make the enriching regime's intentions crystal clear: refuse and the world will know with certainty that weapons are the real goal.
Mr. Zakaria, feel free to contact me for details.
IF YOU CITE MR. LARIJANI, LET ME REMIND YOU WHO HE IS. HE AND HIS BROTHERS, ARE EXTREMISTS AND ALL HAPPEN TO HOLD A POST IN IRANIAN REGIME.
LARJANI WHO IS THE HEAD OF THE MAJLIS(PARLAMENT) HAS ONCE POINTED HIS FINGERS INTO THE AIR AND SAID "IRAN DOES NOT NEED A NUCLEAR BOMB TO ATTACK ISRAEL BUT THIS MUCH URANIUM (A FINGER FULL) IS ENOUGH TO CONTAMINATE LIFE IN ISRAEL". THIS IS CALLED A THREAT AND A TERRORISM INTENTION AS HE FUTHER ELABORATED " THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE READY TO DO THIS AND ACT AS HUMAN TRANSPORTERS".
HIS BROTHER WHO IS THE SUPREME JUDGE OF IRAN IS A RUTHLESS KILLER OF PEOPLE AND A KNOWN HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATOR TO THE UNITED NATION WHO HAS TO END UP IN HAGUE IF NOT ANYTHING LESS.
HOW COULD THE WORLD BELIEVE THE PERSON YOU QUOTE HERE????
Could we ever see a refreshing article on the world making the U.S. and Israel change THEIR minds and leaving Iran's poor people alone?? What happens to such article, are they censored or zapped from view?
Persia could simply not do business with the West, and only do business within the Asian continent, then it does fine (as it had done for millenia befpre colonialization). To say or two countries can forcibly collapse an entine economy into starvation is both ethically wrong, cruel and bigoted.
Leroy err Abdul
Poor Iran they do nothing wrong and the world picks on them.
hehehehehehehhehehehe...
REally you should do more studying of what you are talking about, Compromise has not been done that is the whole problem the IAEA is having. Contempt is what is being displayed. Simple, Iran has the right to atomic energy, but the secrecy, the distain, the complete lack of cooperation, the threats, this all paints a picture of more then peaceful. From what I can see, they are going for the bomb, there is no other explanation for the secrecy. Lets get a grip, I know the Iranian people would not desire neclear weapon.
Iran has signed NPT and all it's nuclear installations are under 24/7 eyes of the IAEA. There is no legal justification for a military attack on Iran. Any military strike on Iran is illegal and will spell the end of the NPT and will result in Iran going full force for a nuclear weapon. You can not change the rules of the game in the middle of the game. The world has to accept Iran's progress in the nuclear field and bring them into the security structure of the region as a stakeholder.
Very well stated, Patriot. Besides, the right-wing thugs both in Washington and Europe have yet to show one shred of evidence that Iran is planning to build nuclear weapons!!! However, the do need nuclear power to generate electricity as does North Korea.
The IAEA (a UN body) has said they are going for nuclear weapons (this wasn't invented by "right wing thugs" from Washington or Europe).
The fact that they are signed on the NPT means that they agree to be monitored by the IAEA, but they have not complied so far.
As for evidence, there are so many unanswered questions and indications about what they are up to (including IAEA as mentioned already), but it looks to me like you need them to have nuclear weapons before you believe, luckily pretty much the rest of the sane world doesn't want to get to that point and are willing to believe the evidence and take preemptive action.
Clearly you don't know anything about NPT and IIAEA. They never said what you claimed. In fact in all reports it is indicated that they could not find any evidence for a military dimension.
Unlike the MiddleEastInterpreter, you do not state facts, you just ridicule what he says.
If you want any respect, quote the truth and reference your quotes.
Iran has always they want to talk but U.S's idea of talks is threats do this or else. And what they want is for Iran to forgo it's right to have or enrich uranium. This is not about taking a deal but it's about standing up as a nation to being bullied. Americans have always used this bullying strategy. From Indians, to slavery and now Iran, Iraq... It has always been about wanting to take someone else's land, humanity, and right away from them.
Thank you, cyrus. You said it all!!!
nobody would give a damn if iran was not the worlds leading exporter and supporter of terror.
not a good combo to arm that type of government with nukes...
Where does it say that?
you cant those evil are village idiots, they lies and call it TAQEYA as shiia allowed lies in there faith under taqeya , they fk and call it MOTAA, the allowed fk your relatives ....cant change old dog habbits those are terror state helping the terrorists hizboallah and syrian bashar al kalb to kill, 14000 civilian were murdered by those thugs so far in syria. nuc them
If you're not going to cut the right-wing bla-bla-bla above, at least quit using that nasty Tea Party lingo. It has no place here and never will!
@Iran=... I was going to answer your post but your user name alone gives an impression that you're a ignorant individual and not worth answering. I wish I knew how did Iraq's became terrorist after all it was us who went all the way across the world to kill them (one million of them) for no reason. What did they do to us? I guess if you defend your country from invators and occupiers you are a terrorist.
@cyrus. I was going to answer your post but seeing that you don't have the intelligence to spell correctly, I deduced there was no point in conversing with dummies...
"invators"....hahahahahaha
what a dikhead....
And you are so intelligent??
hehehe...
thank you for confirming that.
not you KingKong, Cyrus and his gang of martyrs.
@cyrus.....did we forget desert storm? was that not Saddam Hussein who invaded Kuwait?
Just observing- now you've done it, you mentioned a fact that can be verified.
The moslems do not deal in facts, just the ones they pull out of their respective as ses
pot calling the kettle black?
Bin Laden = Dead Arab Sunni
Ayman al-zawahari = Arab Sunni
All the 9/11 hijackers = Dead Arab Sunnis
Al-Qaeda = Sunnis
Taliban = Sunnis
Hamas = Arab Sunni
Saddam = Dead Arab Sunni
Arafat = Dead Arab Sunni
Culprits of Madrid Train Bombing = All Sunni
London Bombers = All Sunnis
The French SOB who killed Jews/Muslim Soldiers = Dead Arab Sunni
Somali Pirates = Sunnis
Qaddafi = Dead Arab Sunni
just an FYI
No one will use force against Iran unless as a last resort in case there will be no other option to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Therefore, it should be clear enough to anyone complaining about Israel and the US that IT IS IRAN who will be solely responsible for the consequences of its nuclear ambitions.
and Israel's nuclear ambitions? also have consequences?
btw, at the end of the day, Iran Will Be nuclear despite all us and israel can do, bombing or not ! all experts and military (even us army ) AGREE About That
Rayan... Israel's nuclear ambitions most certainly have consequences. If the Arab states and Iran were assured that Israel DOES NOT have nuclear weapons they would try to destroy Israel (again...) as they've tried in 1948, 1967 and 1973. The resulting large scale war would cause hundreds of thousands of casualties and would lead to a serious economic crisis in the entire world. So, yes, Israel's nuclear ambitions have consequences, it's a guarantee of no large scale war in the area.
Rayan... If Iran will become nuclear it will pretty soon become a radioactive wasteland.
and they will wind up isolated, poor, tradeless, and just like North Korea....starving and begging for food...
iran's people, unlike NK, are too sophisticated to allow their country to degrade to NK levels.....
if the sanctions only get tougher, with no end in sight, with the threat of total isolation and NK level poverty should a nuke be developed, the only avenue left for the people would be revolution if the government continued on their current path.
the problem is not that sanctions will not work, it is getting all countries on board to implement them.
the iranian people will revolt.
To: Thinker23
Hey remember the last time we went to War on WMDs just to find out they DON'T EXIST and that cost us hundreds of billions of $ . it's sad to see that our government is pulling the same trick on us AGAIN and people still fall for it.
Yeah I agree, removing Saddam was dreadful. Why would you spend money on stopping someone who supported global terrorism (just look it up), used chemical weapons against his Kurdish civilians, saw more children die of malnutrition and lack of medicine under his rule than have so far of violence since the military action, threatened the world's economic stability, invaded Iran and then Quwait (reportedly raping and killing civilians) and kept the people supressed under his rule unless belonging to his Baath elite.
It is much more noble to ignore those problems and spend the money on some new roads,so people could get to work quicker.
@Middleeastinterpreter, Friend for someone who calls himself middle east interperator you have a lot of growing to do. I have been reading all your post and just about all of them are wrong. Saddam never supported any outside terrorism give me an example of one organization he supported. Chemical weapons on his own people, well guess where he got them from? U.S. right after Donald Rumsfield's visit. and guess who helped him in doing that MLK, the very organization we are trying to get out of terrorism list. If you look at the video's from that event they all have Iranian TV logo, because Iran shot those video's and took them to world body but no one cared until we decided to attack Saddam then they all came to life. I suggest reading: presstv.ir or rt.com. compare these sites to CNN so you can come up with the real story. You'll find that we are being lied to more than any other country. Good luck.
@cyrus.
saddam had publically broadcasted 10K bounty for killing israelis.
that is called "terror".
case closed.
Jake... No one found that "they" (the Iraqi WMD) DON'T EXIST. To the contrary, the FACT that Saddam USED WMD's killing some 60,000 Iraqi civilians proved beyond any doubt that Iraqi WMD DID exist. The fact that they were NOT FOUND suggest that these WMD's were hidden good enough, possibly in other countries.
One instance does not make it so every time.
A well thought out informed and balanced view.
But the threat of indefinite sanctions, or indefinite increasing sanctions, have never yet kept a regime or dictatorship from doing what it ultimately wants, especially with obtaining nukes, even when it becomes a real threat to take them down. Look at Iran with Saddam. That idiot could be alive today still if he let inspectors look at everything. Look at North Korea...they still are starving their people and languishing worse than ever. They were and are actually in worse shape than Iran, and with no oil to export, which is like gold or cash these days.
Unfortunately, they are going to get the bomb. Even anialating the plants will just slow them down a bit. It's going to happen.
So Israel and the US may as well do it all – sanctions AND bomb those sites. Why? Because The ultimate upheaval and kaos will cause this, which is the ONLY answer: REGIME CHANGE.
yeah...
plus u can't trust that beady eyed chimpanzee faced akmydikmywad....
he has insanity written all over it.
that doesn't go well with possession of nukes.
This editorial looks like something a 5 year old would write to Santa. The reality , on the other hand, is that Iran has been under swift lock down for a week and nothing much has happened. I think that you are inflating the importance of a clearing house. They are probably trading through another route.Khameneii firmly believes that the western powers will launch a Libya style attack against his country at the first opportunity. The only deterrence would be if Iran manages to become a nuclear power.They have been able to advance their nuclear program methodically and really don't care what other people think about them because they feel that nuclear capability ensures their survival. These are the facts that we have to work with. Believing anything else is pure self deception.
Bottom line – as with all Dictatorships of the past: Note to you fools – SANCTIONS never work!
Sanctions are for ostriches that want to put head in holes. Only idiots do the same thing over and over and expect different results. Only idiots.
I think you'll find that sanctions do work sometimes...
They worked in changing the regime and ending Apartheid in South Africa, dropping Libya's nuclear program and even ending Britain's Suez aspirations.
They don't work, when you've got a maniacal dictatorship that would sacrifice its people for survival (Iran, Iraq, N. Korea, Sudan...etc.). In those cases sanctions do 2 things, first send a message (imagine no one opposing Apartheid and continuing trading with the regime, essentially allowing Apartheid to continue) and second limiting the regime's power and so curbing its capabilities and making it a smaller global player with less potential impact.
Sanctions are not the ultimate answer, but they are definitely part one of the solution.
Nuclear weapons in Iran would be a disaster to the region and the world and I know that I would sleep just a little easier, knowing that something is being done about it and I think that a very big group of Sunni muslims feel the same, even if they don't dare say it.
Keep it up MEI...u are the only reasoned voice on this thread ( besides myself of course ).
The incredible power of the "image of the beast"!
It is written that those who do not receive the mark of the beast on their hand or on their forehead will not be able to buy or sell.
This pressure by the image, by the belief in the way of life of freedom of rights, will cause Iran to change and embrace the way of life that all nations are glorifying...through which they declare is peace.
Man will soon be united under one belief in self-interest...the freedom for each individual to live according to one's self rights.
.....denying the Preeminence of the One True Creator Father and denying Christ as His Son and the One True Way of Life to the Father.
John, you are so dumb you don't even rise to the level of an ostrich.
i thought you spelled your name with 4 "z's"....
Amir,
Both Al Bardei and Amano claimed that Iran did not comply with NPT (Amano went further to claim that they are after nuclear weapons).
The points you brought are really weak. The US knew about Qom for 3 years before it was exposed (not 6 months). The UN security council accordingly agreed on sancations (same group that can't agree on stopping Al Asad killing thousands of his civilians).
Why have those happened, if Iran is not a threat and has always complied?
if iran want nuclear deterrence it have right to it, period. if iran is ready to pay the price it will succeed bombing or not !
Ratably,you're wrong.Look at films of Nagasaki and Hiroshima,130,000 dead in 15seconds,lasting radiological results.Iran can't play with the BIG BOYS,we invented the game.They're not allowed,plain and simple,they're too immature,just military light weights in a game that's just a key switch away.If they had a bomb,they'd have to ask someone to deliver it,ain't that original.Just put it on my visa card.They better understand the results if they do create one, Dr.Edward Teller said after the bombs were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima,he'd wish he'd never help create the monster,conquerer of worlds,in his words...We can't go back on what we did,but help others understand before its too late...
if iran want nuclear deterrence it have right to it, period. if iran is ready to pay the price it will succeed bombing or not !!!
Rayan... It's not a question of "right" but taking responsibility for their actions. If Iranian leaders are willing to develop nuclear weapons they will have to accept the responsibility for the consequences.
This idiot columnist just write what USA government tells them to writte . Iran do not need any nuclear weapon . USA knows it . USA wants Iran regime change . Yes i am agree with it that without economic development , regime will be unstable . So which fool will want to obtain something that make regime unstable . USA arrogancy will not end untill their further destruction .
When FACTS and your beliefs contradict each other it's not the FACTS that should be corrected. The FACT is that Iranian leaders are doing everything they can to convince the world that Iran IS developing nuclear weapons. It's up to you to adjust your beliefs to accomodate this FACT into your beliefs or, alternatively, to call everyone "idiot" and ignore both the FACTS and those telling you about them.
You have started making some good points, looks like you took my advice seriously and tried a brain transplant. It will take some time to heal completely but well done so far, keep it up. Btw, I tried to answer your question on the last post we shared, have a look. Good luck
Meir's lunatic ravings don't meet the definition of facts. Anybody thinking that Iranians aren't aware of the consequences has to observe closely their behavior over the last 30 years. They are convinced that the west at some point will attack them and they want the nuclear deterrence. And they are right! You cannot fault them for being right. Thinking that telling them that they will always be under sanction, when they really don't care if they are under sanction or not, right now, is rather silly for a lay person let alone an analyst.I believe I read in another Israeli analysis that Iran has been setting up alternative money transfer routes since 8-10 years ago anticipating the present behavior from SWIFT. They are many years ahead of the US in anticipating the events. Should we really want to hurt them if we are going to hurt ourselves more? If they are better than us in anticipating the events, wouldn't it be wiser to talk to them?
all the more reason to nuke em now.
mardjan... If you believe that the US will attack Iran NO MATTER WHAT you should have no troubles to explain the reasons the US (or anyone else) will be willing to attack PEACEFUL Iran... Good luck!
Thinker 23, you ask too much from others to explain for you that you should know by yourself. But I am not disappointed totally as I said it takes time to heal completely.
Mark Anthony... If you enjoy mental masturbation using my posts as a stimulus it's up to you.
If and when you'll produce something that makes sense I'll, possibly, reply to you.
@IRANI,
ask yourself how many lies your MULLAH RULERS TELL PEOPLE A DAY. TURN ON YOUR TV SEE IF YOU GET ANYTHING BUT LIES. IT IS NOT USA ONLY THAT IS AFTER YOU AND YOUR REGIME. IT IS ALL IRANIANS WHO WERE FORCED TO LEAVE THEIR COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THE REGIME AND YOUR KIND. THERE COMES A TIME THAT YOU AND YOUR REGIME MATES (MULLAHS) HAVE TO LIVE IN OTHER COUNTRIES. YOU ARE RIGHT, USA AND ALL DECENT REAL IRANIANS WANT A REGIME CHANGE AND THUGS LIKE YOU OUT OF OUR BELOVED IRAAAAN. I REPEAT OUR IRAN. WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE DESPERATE AND HATE MONGERING BECAUSE YOU ARE ANGRY. AT THE END YOU WILL HAVE TO BE ANGRY AT YOURSELF. I AM NOT SORRY FOR YOU.
fk u and fk the tea party wake up and smell the coffee you idiots, IRAN is evil from the roots as the shiiazim is worse than nazi germany those thugs mullas and muslims killers destroy the world , lebanon, bahrain, syria and lebanon, hamas and arming hizboallah and many other african terrorists all over the world TERROR STATE SHOULD BE SMASHED TO THE GROUND I SAY FK THEM ALL, BOMB IRAN NOW before it is too late, OBAMA IS A HALF MULSIM PRESIDENT WANT DO IT, so we msut get some one who can.
Hey you above, will you kindly cut the Tea Party lingo out? Like I said earlier above, it has absoltely no place here. I want to reiterate again that the English language is extensive enough so that Tea Party filth is not necessary to make a point! Besides, what did the Iranians ever do to you anyway?
this is the usa, jack.
free speech and all....
so YOU STFU!!
So far the only country that has killed thousands and thousands of people in this decade are USA, Israel, Uk and France. name me any other terrorist group that has killed more.
Really?
I think you'll find that Syria killed the most (and still killing)
Shiia militia in Iraq (partly sponsored by Iran) have killed numerous amount in Iraq
Libya before the fall of Gaddafi
France??? Who have they killed in the last 10 years?
As for the US and Israel, they have killed civilians unfortunately, however as a result of human error or as a result of fighting within a civilian population (very much like Turkey who is bombing the Kurds in their country and on the Iraqi border). I don't like it, but it is not in the same league of Assad for example targetting civilians.
By answering you, I am of course ignoring all the deaths in African countries, which you don't seem think is so important.
Well said, dev. Nobody here can name even one!!!
This middle east interpreter is a confounded retard
obviously whatever you smoked was too strong for you.
Strangest way to the marriage application
http://upload40.com/12321.html
This is bad Foreign policy, it is only a guess where Iran stands on nuclear weapons capability. Zero room for error. If you put the Iranian Regime between a rock and a hard-place while in possession of a nuclear weapon the Iranian leadership will use it. Remember, they have some of the best built underground bunkers in the world. If Khomeini and his thugs know they are going to die, probably by the hand of their own people the last thing you want is an Ayatolla with a suicide wish holding an atomic weapon.
I have to afree that it is a bad foreign policy. It's a pity that you did not suggest a BETTER policy so I'll try to do it for you. A better policy would be to NOT ALLOW Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and let Iranian leaders to convince the world that they DO NOT try to acquire nukes and DO NOT have any plans to do it in the future.
Mr. Javedanfar, I do not think you know the Iranian leaders very well. Do more real research from people who have first-hand knowledge and try to write again or don't write at all. You make too many guesses.
Valsor... If you DISAGREE with someone's words you're expected to reveal what is (in your opinion, of course) the CORRECT version. As long as you're unable to tell us what in Meir Javedanfar's article above you DISAGREE with it will mean that YOU'VE AGREED WITH EVERY WORD.
Respected, Mr. Meir Javedanfar Garu, In Iran conerns, Billians of Amounts transactions with out SWIFT co-operation its makeing very difficult. But SWIFT is belongs to U S or any others, About this, U S must describe to entire Democratic World.
Now a days money transactins from abroad,it is very easy thing.
Having so many technics in soft Ware Solutions.(if bussiness man willing to make transactions,)
When big transactions stopped by SWIFT, then automatically SWIFT grouth also fall down,and then financial crises will. be started.
In my verdict, Iran will face this type of crises only three months, after that, all will be settuped.
whaaaaat??
you are incoherent!!!
"If he does build a bomb, or just reaches a breakout capability, the sanctions and isolation won’t end." Well, in fact, even if Iran completely stops its entire nuclear program nothing will change either. The US and its lackeys in Europe will find some other excuse to squeeze Iran. So, Iran is between a rock and a hard place. Stupid Obama does not leave it a way to get out of the this dilemma. So, the conclusion is that it is better for Iran to be completely defiant about the stupid Western policies. The alternative will not gain them anything.
The point missed by this article is that, in fact, Iran may be able to overcome all these stupid sanctions. Then, Iran will become a major power in the world scene and the US and EU will lose a significant part of their power. Beside, the high oil prices are accelerating the decline of Western economies as Iran earns more from selling less oil. Brilliant strategy for the feeble-minded Obama and his advisors.
WHY would the US or anyone else be willing to apply sanctions to PEACEFUL Iran? Can you (or anyone else) give me possible reasons for that?
you are in a dreamland.
wake up.
you have sign of hysteria!
Cyrus,
So, because the US aligned with Saddam at the time, it is OK he used those weapons on his people? Or are you saying the US urged him? In fact what is your point? So killing all those civilians including women and children a dreadful death as they slowly die in agonizing pain is OK and he shouldn't be removed for this monsterous act?
Saddam supporting terrorism – plenty out there, but here is one: http://www.nysun.com/foreign/report-details-saddams-terrorist-ties/72906/
I do watch RT and Iranian media evert now and then. RT just tend to show things from the other side (interview idiots like Finkelstein or Galloway) But the Iranian media is a little pointless, because they are not free and they do not go under any scrutiny (in the US & Britain you have media from both sides at least).
I'd like to challenge ANYONE claiming that there is no evidence of Iran planning to obtain nuclear weapons to explain HOW will Iran possibly use hundreds of those intermediate- and long range ballistic missiles it acquired during the last several years. Please consider that these missiles cost at least $3 million each and that they are virtually harmless without proper warheads. Good luck!
Why would Iran use the warheads any way. Do we use our thousands and thousands of Warheads? No! They have an army and their Army has warheads. Like all the other countries. That is not a reason to destroy our economy by starting a senseless war. We are just trying to wrap up the Afghanistan fiasco and our country is recovering very slowly. Another war in the middle east could be the death blow to the world economy. Nobody has to prove anything to us. It is not our business.
I've asked how would Iran possibly use its BALLISTIC MISSILES, genius... NOT the WARHEADS to arm these missiles which (as you're telling us) Iran does not even plan to acquire.
Your first and only allegiance is to Allah the magnificent and his profiteer Muhammad.
Do not say "we" as if you belong in the USA.
Your allegiance to Islam is evident.
The article is useless and a case of wishful thinking with lots of 6 year old girly dreams in it. Not suitable to be considered as a serious analysis. Iranian economy is large as per IMF data and the country is doing great in science and technology. In fact as per US government report: Science and engineering indicators, it has the world's fastest growth rate in science and technology, so the sanctions will not cause collapse of the nation. The most they could do is slow down their economic growth for a temporary period, a year or two max. They will not stop Iran as the local production of goods will replace imports.
As for IRGC, Leader, Army and Ahmadinejad, no one among them can discard the nuclear option. A country in these times, can live without an economy but without nukes its downfall is imminent as Libya and North Korea have proven beyond any doubt whatsoever. Economy only matters after security. And Iran views the nuclear issue through security prism. In fact it is on the record that it was IRGC and army of Iran that pushed the first Iranian leader who died in 1980's for a nuclear option despite him being opposed to it ideologically. The armed forces personnel do not think like civilians or bureaucratic. By their training they put military hardware and tough soldier training above anything else in universe. That is their source of power and pride. In fact both Ahmadinejad and the leader have in the past tried to compromise despite western refusals. The biggest opposition to these offered compromises were not mullahs or Iranian bureaucracy. It was the people of Iran. As per all western polls conducted, the nuclear issue is overwhelmingly popular in Iran and increasing number of Iranians viewing it as a source of pride and even supporting to develop nuclear weapons. Any leader or politician trying to do any major compromise on the issue will in essence commit political suicide and will be viewed as a sell out to the same imperialist powers who were running Anglo-Iranian oil company.
The IRGC and the military in Iran know this very well. They know that even with a negative economic growth for even two years, Iran will survive. As they did during Iran Iraq war era. In fact in such a situation, their hard core supporters become more in number and zeal. On the other hand an inferior technological Iran, with no nuclear option, means that in any future war it will be the IRGC and the military that will be paying the highest price both in blood and military hardware with no guarantee of success as during Iran Iraq war. The nuclear issue in Iran is public driven and supported by its military. The politicians who might want to compromise can not do so safely. Not atleast the kind of compromise that west is demanding of them. This issue is the Jesus nut of Iranian government. They simply can not remove the nut and continue flying. As the Pakistani leader responsible for development of Pakistan's nuclear weapons had said famously, when confronted with difficulties of developing nukes in a poor country that " we will eat grass but will develop nukes ", Iran also knows that its survival is not in a internationally connected economy but in having deployed nukes ready for launch. Only then the world notices you and respects your wishes.
And you are aware of "6 year old girly dreams?"
Yes, I have a six year old daughter. Though when she is awake, she is way more intelligent than the author of this article.
If she is "way more intelligent than the author of this article", then she is smarter than her father.
Do not screw it up by not educating her and marrying her off when she turns 8 years old.
Smith: "...without nukes its downfall is imminent as Libya and North Korea have proven beyond any doubt whatsoever."
It's a pretty interesting claim considering that North Korea HAS nukes. It does not have FOOD.
Nothing is more idiotic than someone asserting a country can survive with international sanctions on it. The Iranians will not tolerate eating grass or suffering a further decline in living standards to pursue nuclear weapons. The Iranian regime cannot continue to oppress its own people without the stresses causing the regime to crumble. A political critical mass – induced by the difficulties of the economic sanctions will cause an internal regime change as political opportunists are always ready to champion a new cause.
Ian is not a self-sustaining economy, it cannot produce all that it needs on it's own, and cannot do so practically. It is not like the US with a huge amount of land and fresh water. It doesn't have the basic technical practical skill in a number of industries, they don't even have enough good people to keep their oil fields going! Further no country would want to survive on it's own, isolated technologically and economically, that's a good way to stay backwards.
IF YOU ARE DEFENDING IRANIAN REGIME, DID IT OCCURE TO YOUR FOUL MIND THAT YOU ARE CONFIRMING SOMETHIN THAT IRANIAN REGIME DENIES NAMELY NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT FOR CIVIL PURPOSES NOT SECURITY OR MILITARY?
WHY DONT YOU GO AND STUDY YOUR DAUGHTERS BOOKS INSTEAD OF WRITING ARAJEEF(BS) ON CNN.
once iran has nukes, terrorism will likely triple. who will attempt to stop them exporting weapons to Hezbollah et al??
all bets are off terrorwise once Iran has nukes.
Agree. But that's just one of the bad facets which would be the product of Iran with nukes.
Yes and there was going to be a mushroom cloud if we didn't attack Iraq. I quote secretary Gates " anyone who wants to start another war in the middle east should have their head examined. So go back to your day job and find yourself a shrink.
Yes and there was going to be a mushroom cloud if we didn't attack Iraq. I quote secretary Gates " anyone who wants to start another war in the middle east should have their head examined. So go back to your day job and find yourself a shrink.
Well, there already was a chemical vapor cloud killing thousands of kurds in the most agonizing way.
Well, there was already publically proclaimed 10K bounties being paid by Saddam for killing Israelis
Well, there was already 99% of worlds countries determining WMD did exist in Iraq, right or wrong.
Nobody wants to start a war anywhere, dikhead.
But some things are worse than wars, like a nuclear equipped Iran.
Read posts above for all the reasons.
Sometimes you have to choose the lesser evil given the choices.
Exactly, that why the sites have to be bombed now. Strap on your seatbelts, May is almost here. I predict next month we will wake to the headlines, the shock. Israel, supported by US , severe air strikes. Collateral damage will be the Left's mantra and will further damage Obama's reelection, which is already doomed.
Face reality, you don't think it will happen? May Day 2012. Be ready.
Can you explain how you feel that Obama's reelection is already doomed?
President Obama holds modest leads over both Republican front-runners in hypothetical Election 2012 matchups in combined polling of the key swing states Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. Obama now picks up 47% of the vote to Romney’s 42% in those states. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, and five percent (5%) are undecided.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/core_four_states/election_2012_the_core_four_states
Because you Liberals are in a bubble. Your polls mean nothing as most polls on elections do. Reason is that people in the conservative camp far out number you lazy handout wishes and we don't demonstrate or "occupy" because we are WORKING and have not time for idleness. You will see how the silent majority stomps Obama out in November. Keep being delusional in your bubble, no matter. When the pendulum swings like now, people who matter take time out from their busy work days and say "enough". Like now, it's the same as Reagan tramping Carter. Looking forward, stay tuned to election day. Everything in between now and then is just Liberal spew.
Although polls tend to show some meaningful variations over the course of an election campaign, those changes largely occur because of shifts in opinions held by a minority of Canadians. For example, an Angus Reid poll found that in the 2008 election 54% of Canadians already had made up their minds whom to vote for when the election was first called. But considerable shifts can occur among other voters that make the campaign period very decisive in determining the election outcomes. Interestingly, about 15% finally made up their minds on election day; many of those voters, however, would already have been leaning towards one party.
http://www.sfu.ca/~aheard/elections/polls.html
Even "Etch a Skwtch" will beat Obama. Obamcare alone will bring you all down. Let's add some insurance tho: Gas prices will be $5 a gallon, trillions in debt, China almost owns us, and one biggy here: Government does NOT create jobs, businesses do. And more Obama mistakes that are devastating this country now, too numerous to count.
Oops – Obama changing his mind on pipelines this week. Hugh?
So much material for a one sided debate. Can't wait to watch.
Can't wait for you to take your meds.
Heeheehee. This is what Liberals do when confronted with facts, and they have no countering answer. Get to going after people personally. Thus the pattern of fools. Love it...we win again, as usual.
They are not facts until you quote your sources; until then, they are just things you pulled out of your a ss to sound important and to support the islamic cause.
Me support Islamic causes? Now who is on meds? Lol. I'm the one who says the US and Israel should bomb Iran's land people and sand and melt it all into one big flat sheet of glass!
Why do we need to change Irans's mind on its nuclear program. If it does affect its economic growth, let the country collapse from within and have their nuclear program at the same time. The people of Iran might appreciate it and will be looking for other moderate leaders to change the regime.
"Why do we need to change Irans's mind on its nuclear program."
July 1968 Iran joins nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT)
August 2002 The rebel group the National Council for Resistance in Iran reveals the existence of undeclared nuclear sites, including an enrichment plant in Natanz and a heavy-water production plant in Arak. Iran acknowledges existence of sites and asks the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect them
June 2003 The IAEA rebukes Iran for not declaring plant but does not find it in violation of the NPT
October 2003 Iran agrees to suspend uranium enrichment and to allow a regime of unannounced IAEA inspections
September 2005 The IAEA finds Iran in non-compliance with the NPT, because of failure to report its nuclear activities
December 2005 Security council imposes the first set of sanctions on Iran for its refusal to accept a resolution calling for a suspension of enrichment
January 2006 Iran breaks IAEA seals on Natanz plant and other nuclear sites
February 2006 The IAEA reports Iran to the UN security council for non-compliance
December 2006 UN imposes first round of sanctions, resolution 1737, which called on states to block Iran's import and export of "sensitive nuclear material"
December 2007 A US national intelligence estimate concludes that Iran had stopped its weapons development programme in 2003
September 2009 Barack Obama, Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy announce that their intelligence agencies have found a new Iranian enrichment plant dug into the side of a mountain near Qom, at a site called Fordow. Iran had revealed its existence to the IAEA days earlier, but western officials say that was because it knew it had been discovered
October 2009 An apparent breakthrough at a meeting in Geneva, in which Iran agreed to export 1,200kg of its low-enrichment uranium, 75% of the total, in return for foreign-made, 20%-enriched fuel rods for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR). The deal breaks down three weeks later in Vienna
February 2010 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announces that Iran has made its own 20%-enriched uranium
May 2010 Brazil and Turkey broker a deal on the TRR fuel swap along same lines as the Geneva proposal. However, US and its allies reject the deal as too late, in view of Iran's nuclear progress since Geneva
January 2011 An attempt to restart international negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme breaks down in Istanbul
November 2011 The IAEA issues a report citing extensive evidence of past work on nuclear weapons, confirming that Iran had tripled its production of 20% uranium and made the underground Fordow site fully operational
January-February 2012 IAEA inspectors visit Tehran to investigate evidence pointing to a past weapons programme, but say they did not receive sufficient co-operation
Julian Borger and Katy Roberts
• This timeline was corrected on 23 March 2012 because the date given for Iran joining the NPT was April 1998 instead of July 1968.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/22/nuclear-watchdog-iran-iaea?newsfeed=true
WASHINGTON - Planning for an air war against Iran continues inside the Pentagon, and the U.S. Air Force could mount such intense strikes against Iranian targets that "you wouldn't want to be in the area," said Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff, on Wednesday.
Indeed, some senior military officers and air power specialists caution that putting a decisive end to Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions would require a massive, all-out war - not only to demolish Iran's nuclear facilities but to destroy its governing regime.
President Barack Obama has said the United States is "determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal." The United States and others are now tightening financial and trade sanctions to force Tehran to abandon its nuclear weapons program. But the Obama administration has not spelled out precisely what "prevent" means, and administration officials have been careful not to set clear military objectives.
In a meeting with defense reporters Wednesday, Schwartz deflected a question by The Huffington Post about whether air power alone could "end" Iran's nuclear weapons program.
"It really depends," he said. "What is the objective? Is it to eliminate? Is it to delay? Is it to complicate? The larger question here is more one of policy" than of military capability, he said.
The Air Force, along with the other military services, has given the White House a series of options for attacking Iran, Schwartz said. Other government agencies have provided political, financial and additional options.
As far as the military options are concerned, Schwartz said that Marine Gen. James Mattis, the Mideast combat commander who would oversee a war with Iran, "is satisfied that we have been as forthcoming and imaginative as possible" in the planning.
"We and each of the other services each contribute, and we are prepared to do so," Schwartz added. He declined to provide specific details about the war planning.
Among the weapons that could be used against Iran is the 20-foot-long, 15-ton Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), designed to be used against deep-buried targets such as the nuclear reprocessing plant shielded by 250 feet of granite in a mountain outside the holy city of Qom, according to a new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
But making effective use of such a weapon requires a broad, coordinated effort among hundreds of aircraft, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula, an F-15 combat pilot who planned the complex 1991 air war against Iraq and other operations, told The Huffington Post. "Executing an air campaign is not just flying from A to B and dropping a bunch of bombs and coming home," he said.
In the event of an attack, missiles, bombers and strike fighters would be sent against Iran's air defenses, which Schwartz said have recently been strengthened. Other aircraft would be targeted on Iran's nuclear sites, accompanied by command-and-control aircraft, airborne electronic countermeasures and electronic warfare systems, all choreographed with aerial tankers "and put together in such a way that the timing is impeccable and each part of the overall mission reinforces other parts," Deptula explained.
"It would be a formidable air campaign, but it could be accomplished," Deptula said. And it would take the United States to do it. "The Israelis have one of the most excellent, innovative air forces in the world - that's not at issue," he said. But with the distances to be covered to reach Iran and the limited number of refueling tankers that Israel can provide, "there is a capacity issue."
"No one wants to talk about regime change. But if you want to put an end to this problem, I am afraid to say it will require a change of regime in Iran," he said.
Iran's nuclear facilities are "not a pinpoint target," Cartwright warned during a panel discussion last week at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. He said Iran has been "very clever" about siting its nuclear facilities, some in remote locations and some deep underground where "there are not weapons that can penetrate."
Asked about that assertion Wednesday, Schwartz acknowledged that deep underground targets are difficult to destroy. "Strike is about physics, and the deeper you go, the harder it gets," he said. But he said the MOP "is not an inconsequential capability."
In short, he said, "a kinetic attack is a delaying tactic. A strategy that would deny Iran nuclear weapons probably requires an invasion or arming the opposition and mojahedi khalq etc to change of regime."
Saudi and other countries are welling to increase the oil supplies so the oil market will not beeffected, USA will win to get red of those thugs and keep Israel safe ,and the middleast safer from those shiia iranians back terrorists such as Hizboallah, Syrian regieme of bashar al asad and the Iraqi shii governemtn who will help Iran and provide sanctuary to them, we must attack them on parallel level.
Here's an idea for Iran: stop enriching uranium. Everything would be solved for the short term if Iran would just stop what they are doing, negotiate in a neutral venue with all parties involved, and stop acting like cornered dogs. Lets whine some more: "Aww boo hoo we have the right to develop nuclear party... boo hoo Israel has nukes, US has nukes, boo hoo we want some respect in our region and the world... boo hooooo". Grow up Khamanei and deal with people in a civilized way instead of whining that you get no respect.
boo hoo Iran
You're good. hehehe...
the problem with this is that "cornered dogs" is the only way they know how to act.
and they have a functioning example of how to succeed as a cornered dog in NK.
Growl every so often, threaten to blow up the world, and magically thousands of tons of foodstuff appear in your harbor!!
No bill to pay.....no indebtedness...kinda like ordering up a cheeseburger on the starship enterprise....
Good analogy.
I have a visual of Kameini in a stretch suit asking to be beamed up and ordering a pork chop.
Article IV of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
1. Nothing in this Treaty shall be interpreted as affecting the inalienable right of all the Parties to the Treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in conformity with Articles I and II of this Treaty.
2. All the Parties to the Treaty undertake to facilitate, and have the right to participate in, the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Parties to the Treaty in a position to do so shall also co-operate in contributing alone or together with other States or international organizations to the further development of the applications of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, especially in the territories of non-nuclear-weapon States Party to the Treaty, with due consideration for the needs of the developing areas of the world.
Article X. Establishes the right to withdraw from the Treaty giving 3 months' notice. It also establishes the duration of the Treaty (25 years before 1995 Extension Initiative).
UN CHARTER VII ARTICLE 51:
Provides for the right of countries to engage in military action in self-defense, including collective self-defense (i.e. under an alliance) FOR IRAN TO RETALIATE IF ATTACKED.
LET IT BE CLEAR ONCE AND FOR ALL SINCE ZIONIST NEWS MEDIA ALWAYS DISTORTS NEWS ON IRAN:
TEHRAN – The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations has said that Tehran will not negotiate with the major powers over its inalienable rights.
Ambassador Mohammad Khazaii made the remarks during an interview with the Washington-based radio network NPR on February 9.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to engage in negotiations with the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany), but it will not negotiate over its inalienable rights, Khazaii stated.
He also said that Tehran will send a letter to European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who represents the six major powers in nuclear negotiations with Iran.
Iran is ready to hold serious talks without preconditions, he added.
But those who think that Iran will change its logical and principled policy under the pressure of sanctions are mistaken, Khazaii said, adding that the Islamic Republic has never made concessions on its absolute rights.
Despite the West’s claims, the sanctions imposed on the country have targeted the Iranian people, he added.
Consequences of Iran attack devastating for Israel
Elsewhere in his remarks, Khazaii commented on the Zionist regime’s threats of military action against Iran, saying it seems that they will not carry out their threats.
The consequences would be “devastating” for Israel and maybe for whoever helps them, he added.
Iran’s policy is to avoid committing an aggression against other countries, but if an action is taken against Iran’s interests or its nuclear facilities, the Islamic Republic will definitely defend itself with all its strength, Khazaii commented.
He also said that Iran’s nuclear program does not have military dimensions and that the proposal for the establishment of a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East was first made by the Islamic Republic.
Continuing the war of words, Khazaii warned that any Israeli attack on Iranian atomic sites would lead to the collapse of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
"Inevitably attacks on safeguarded nuclear installations of a party to the NPT by a non-party shall lead to the collapse of the NPT," Khazaii said.
Iran to block Strait of Hormuz if attacked
On Iran’s threats to block the Strait of Hormuz, Khazaii said that the Islamic Republic does not intend to use the waterway to engage in a war with other countries unless Iran’s positions come under attack.
Asked about Israeli officials’ remarks about the nature of Iran’s nuclear program, Khazaii said that the Zionist regime has no right to comment on Tehran’s nuclear activities since it possesses nuclear weapons and is not a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The world’s countries must pressure the Zionist regime into signing the NPT, he said.
Khazaii was correct in one issue: Israel WILL NOT use force against Iran unless as a last resort when there will be no other way to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. If it happens, however, Israel will not ask for anyone's permission to defend itself and will use enough force to assure that Iran will not be willing (or able) to launch a counter-attack.
It is a pity that while Iran constantly threatens Israel it reject any possibility of negotiations with the Jewish State.
yup you and your buddies have never threatened to obliterate anyone. It is a misconception created by the media. hehehe...
Iran is not a threat to any nation. Let's stop all Irrational biased propaganda lies, hoaxes, artificial illusions without proven facts BASED ON ISLAMAPHOBIC HATE to distroy Iran and for a regime change, instead be friends of Iran and respect Iran's inalienable rights and support Iran to be the pioneer of peaceful nucler energy industry as an independent state in the Muslim world, since there ain't any in the Muslim world yet.
If NPT is FOR ONLY FRIENDS OF US then iran shall quit from NPT.Since US has made regime changes in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Iran, Syria are next on the agenda by all propaganda lies such as WMD on behalf of unbreakable bond israel.
Iran is a member of NPT and doesn't produce nukes but seen by US and its allies as to make nukes.
IN ISLAMAPHOBIA, THERE IS NO DIFERENCE BETWEEN SHIA AND SUNNI, all muslims are seen as potential terrorists,especially in US.
Talking with you guys is like Groundhog day–all over again.
February 2012
Feb. 16 Thailand Bangkok Iran plot 'targeted Israelis' Map of Bangkok Thailand A group of Iranians detained after explosions in Thailand's capital Bangkok were intending to target two Israeli diplomats, Thai police say Bangkok Timeline
Feb. 5 Washington Obama: US and Israel 'in unison' on Iran The US is working closely with Israel to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, President Barack Obama has said Obama Timeline (220)
January 2012
Jan.13 Iran Top Iran cleric: U.S., Israel behind deaths Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has blamed the CIA and Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, for killing an Iranian nuclear scientist Khamenei Timeline (27)
year 2011
Nov.7 Moscow Russia warns Israel against Iran attack Russia's foreign minister: Military action against Iran would be a 'very serious mistake fraught with unpredictable consequences'
Mar.3 Jerusalem Israel to join sanctions against Iran Citing the need to bring its policies in line with the U.S. and Europe, Israel indicated that it will move to join international sanctions against...
year 2010
Dec.28 Iran Iran executes man as Israeli spy Map of Tehran Iran Iran has hanged Ali-Akbar Siadat convicted of spying for Israel and also executed another man who was a member of a government opposition group
Sep.5 Iran Iran barbs with Palestinians over talks Iranian officials continued to trade barbs with the Palestinian Authority over its president's decision to renew direct peace talks with Isr...
Jun.27 Iran Plan to send ship to Gaza still on Iran still plans to send ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, despite earlier reports to the contrary
Jun.24 Iran Iran will not send aid ship to Gaza Iran will not send a ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza as it had planned to do, according to a report from the official news agency of ...
Jun.14 Iran Iran sending aid ships to Gaza An Iranian ship carrying aid supplies has set sail for Gaza and two others are expected to leave next week
Feb.26 Washington Barak: Nuclear Iran threat beyond Israel Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that Iran's nuclear program poses a danger that extends beyond Israel
Jan.3 Iran Soccer chief apologizes for Israel greeting
year 2009
Dec.13 Iran Exiled Hamas leader visits Iran Khaled Mashaal met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran. Ahmadinejad said that Iran will always stand by the people of Pales...
Nov.4 Israelis seize Iran arms ship Israel's navy has intercepted the Antiguan-flagged Francop, carrying hundreds of tonnes of weapons intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon
Oct.30 Jerusalem Israel endorses Iran nuclear plan PM Benjamin Netanyahu has praised a UN proposal to regulate Iran's uranium enrichment program
Sep.26 Jerusalem Israel calls for action on Iran
Sep.21 Jerusalem Israel on Iran: All options still on table
Jul.27 Jerusalem Israel, U.S. discuss Iran nuclear threat Defense Secretary Gates: Obama's offer to engage with Iran is not open-ended, and he is anticipating or hoping for a response within 2 month...
Elsewhere: Iran, Jul.15: 168 feared dead as plane crashes
May.4 Washington Peres: Iran leaders on wrong history side
Apr.22 Iran Iran accuses Israeli leaders of war crimes
year 2008
Oct.4 Austria Iran leads attack on Israeli atomic program
Jul.10 Tel Aviv Israel 'ready to act' over Iran Defence minister Ehud Barak has warned of his country's readiness to act against Iran if it feels threatened
Jun.6 Jerusalem Israel threatens Iran with attack Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz said the Jewish state 'will attack' Iran if it doesn't halt its efforts to develop nuclear weaponry
year 2007
Dec.25 Iranian Jews find new homes in Israel Greeted by joyous relatives and a crowd of reporters, about 40 Jews landed in Israel, leaving behind their lives in the Islamic republic
year 2006
Dec.12 Iran Ahmadinejad: Israel will be 'wiped out' Iran's hard-line president is drawing applause from participants in a conference casting doubt on the Holocaust
year 2005
Dec.8 Iran Ahmadinejad: Move Israel to Europe Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has expressed doubt that the Holocaust occurred Ahmadinejad Timeline (109)
Oct.28 Iran Thousands in anti-Israel demonstrations Thousands of Iranians repeated calls by their president demanding the Jewish state's destruction
UN Security Council UN raps Iran's anti-Israel rant The Security Council is condemning Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Oct.26 Iran Israel 'must be wiped from map' President Ahmadinejad is insisting that a new series of attacks will destroy the Jewish state
if the shoe fits?
US double standards and Iran
January 24, 2012
The latest US sanctions against Iran signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 31, 2011, would bar foreign firms dealing with the Central Bank of Iran from access to the American financial system. Since the Central Bank of Iran deals with most of the country’s oil-related transactions, this measure when fully implemented would have the effect of badly hurting Iran's oil exports, which provide 80 percent of its revenues. The European Union is separately considering its own sanctions aimed at embargoing oil imports from Iran, which may come into effect by the time this article is published. The main goal of these sanctions is to force Iran to give up its uranium enrichment programme. The Western countries claim that this programme reflects Iran’s intention to develop nuclear weapons, a charge that Iran strongly denies.
To be fair to Iran, the IAEA reports have not so far found any evidence of the diversion of nuclear materials or technology to non-peaceful purposes although they have raised some questions about its nuclear activities. The latest US sanctions come on top of several sets of UN Security Council sanctions adopted over the past several years against Iran’s nuclear programme. These sanctions have failed to persuade Iran to give up uranium enrichment, which is allowed by the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), if placed under IAEA safeguards. In fact, its uranium enrichment programme has expanded and now besides the Natanz facility close to Isfahan, it includes the Fordow enrichment facility buried deep in a mountain complex near Qom. The number of centrifuges at these facilities, which are under IAEA safeguards, has increased to 8,000 by now. While the US has relied so far on sanctions and talks to persuade Iran to stop its uranium enrichment programme, it has not ruled out the military option.
The latest US sanctions have raised tensions in the Persian Gulf region. Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes, if its oil exports are stopped. It also carried out naval exercises near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month to demonstrate its capability to close the channel, if necessary. The US Defence Secretary, Leon Panetta, responded to the Iranian threat by stressing on January 8, on the CBS show Face the Nation, that the US “will not tolerate the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz.” Panetta cautioned against a unilateral Israeli strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, as it could trigger the Iranian retaliation against the US forces in the region. The same message was conveyed to the Israeli leadership by General Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, last week during his brief visit to Israel.
The US and other Western countries claim that proliferation concerns have prompted them to impose sanctions against Iran. This, however, is not the whole story. Washington started imposing economic sanctions against Iran many years before its uranium enrichment programme was exposed. The real US objective has been to bring about a change of regime in Iran because Washington sees in it a threat to its strategic objectives in the Middle East generally and the Persian Gulf region particularly. The ultimate US strategic goal in the Middle East is to maintain its hegemony in the region and control over its oil and gas resources on which depends the prosperity of the West. Washington is also committed to Israel’s security, partly because it views it as an important asset for the realisation of the US strategic objectives in the Middle East. More so, the US wants pliant regimes in the region, which would serve its purposes.
The Islamic Republic of Iran since the very beginning has incurred Washington’s enmity and wrath for having challenged its hegemony. It is a reflection of Washington’s double standards that the same US, which now opposes Iran’s uranium enrichment programme, offered full nuclear fuel cycle facilities, including nuclear reprocessing and uranium enrichment, to Iran during the days of the Ford administration when the Shah of Iran was viewed as a close ally of the West. The Western countries, which bear the responsibility for Israel’s nuclear weapon programme, too lack the moral authority to object to Iran’s nuclear programme, which in any case is peaceful in nature.
Since Tel Aviv considers the Islamic Republic of Iran a mortal enemy, the Israeli lobby in the United States has been pushing for increased pressure on Iran to stop its uranium enrichment programme. Israel has made known its readiness to launch military strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities with or without the collaboration of the US to stop or delay the progress of its nuclear programme. The Obama administration has been trying to dissuade Israel from adopting this course of action because of its dangerous consequences for the peace and stability of the Middle East; for the US influence and forces in the region; and for the American economy that is undergoing a fragile recovery from the recession. Perhaps, in response to the US concerns, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak announced on January 18 that any decision to launch a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities remained “very far away.” However, Israel has been involved in terrorist activities in Iran. It is, generally, believed that Israel was responsible for the recent assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan, who was the fourth Iranian scientist to be killed during the past two years.
There are also reports of the involvement of Israeli and Western intelligence agencies in the covert campaign of explosions at Iranian factories and military sites. The latest example was the huge explosion that destroyed a missile testing site near Tehran on November 12 last year, killing General Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, the head of Iran’s missile programme. According to an American columnist, Roger Cohen, who writes for the New York Times, these explosions and the earlier havoc caused by the Stuxnet computer worm were the result of a covert US-Israeli drive to sabotage Iran’s nuclear programme.
The standoff between the US and Iran has raised tensions in the Persian Gulf region to the boiling point. The need of the hour is for all the parties concerned to avoid hostilities and adopt the path of negotiations for resolving the issues relating to Iran’s nuclear programme. Neither side should cross the other’s red line. Iran would not accept any measure, which would have the effect of choking its oil exports. Similarly, the US would not tolerate the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities would have catastrophic results for the region and the world, as warned by the Russian Foreign Minister recently.
Regional countries, like Saudi Arabia and Turkey, should take steps to persuade both sides to cool down and work for a negotiated solution. It is a pity that at this critical juncture when Pakistan should have been actively engaged with the US and Iran to lower the political temperature and encourage negotiations, it is instead bogged down in domestic turmoil and its foreign policy is marked by inactivity on the issue. The ultimate solution of the issues related to Iran’s nuclear programme lies in the acknowledgment by the US and other Western countries of its right to carry out uranium enrichment under the NPT and the avoidance by Iran of any step towards the development of nuclear weapons. A specially designed IAEA regime for oversight of Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities to overcome the Western concerns may provide the way out of the current impasse. Hopefully, the expected talks at Istanbul would help the parties in reaching such a solution.
Iran accuses US of double standards over woman's executionSakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's sentence to death by stoning for adultery compared to Virginia's plans to execute Teresa Lewis
Iran has criticised US double standards over Teresa Lewis's execution. Iran accused the US of human rights violations today over plans by the state of Virginia to execute a woman for the first time in nearly 100 years, despite claims that she has severe learning difficulties.
Iran's state-sponsored media has devoted considerable coverage to reports about Teresa Lewis, who is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Thursday for arranging the murder of her husband and stepson in 2002.
The parliamentary human rights committee said her case reflected "the double standards" of the American government, comparing her case to that of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year-old Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery.
One American woman planned and killed both her husband and son. The other Iranian women had an alleged affair for which she is to be stoned–the other person in that affair has no punishment because he is a man.
Granted the American woman has learning difficulties and Iran find similarity in these two examples??
Very puzzling the complicated mind of an Islamic pig.
Allow me to clear your mind Patrick. Iran is sitting on vast energy resources and they have crossed the threshold of being able to use it to their own advantage. They are trying to influence the Market to their advantage. They are trying to change the currency of oil trade, which is what Gaddafi tried to do. We have the option of attacking them at the risk of destroying ourselves, or adjust to the new world reality, negotiate with them and save ourselves a whole lot of money and trouble. What would a sensible person do?.
The only thing to do is to bomb the crap out of them.
No other option.
We attacking Iran risk destroying ourselves? You are about as smart as a rock, maybe less.
We need to bomb Iran.
But it is already going to happen in May. Isreal backed by US carriers and destroyer task force, already mobilizing now.
May Day, 2012. Strap your seat belts on, Iran is going to get a big wake up call to crawl back in her spider hole. It's a done deal no matter what you wish, discuss and rebutt here.
Well that is the assessment of the Israeli generals, at least. Of course you can do anything in a Marvel comic book, but in real life attacking Iran would probably destroy Israel as we know it and also the US economy. It will be the end of the world order as we know it.
mardjan... You're telling us that attacking Iran would be devastating for Israel and, probably, for other countries and you have a pretty valid point. This should make it clear to you that Israel WILL NOT attack Iran unless it will have no other choice. This should also make it clear to you that the US and the rest of the world MUST do everything possible to prevent Iran from making the use of force the ONLY possible choice for Israel.
A sensible person would CONVINCE Iranian leaders to drop their nuclear ambitions. A sensible person would CLARIFY to the leaders of Iran that their efforts to build nuclear weapons would have devastating consequences for Iran and its people.
Like I said before, the US and Isreal should bomb Iran, it's land, people and sand, until it is all melted into one big sheet of glass.
We cannot be held hostage by a bunch of islamic fanatics.
At first they will want a little bit but, the way these people think, they will want everything.
What are you going to tell the Russian and the Chinese who might have a problem with that and who might want to get involved. This will be on a much larger scale than Syria. Russia has already said that attacking Iran would be like attacking Russia. Then we would be facing not only Iran , but Iran and Russia.Nobody is doing that with my tax dollars and you guys can all go and get your heads examined and say that secretary Gates sent you.
Russia and China are not advocating obliterating anything and anyone who stands in their way. They have been getting along, albeit precariously, with the rest of the world.Noone wants war,we all love our children; however, sometimes there are no other options.
Mardjan, we do not care who your heart belongs to. If you want to align yourself with islam, go for it. Just do not shove it down my throat. Wether you deal in dollars or dihrams, that is not a problem, just do not mess with the hard-earned freedom in the world. Stop threatening Israel because your Qu'ran says so. RESPECT everyone and we can all keep and spend as we wish our hard-earned money.
Somehow I doubt that either Russia or China would be willing to destroy their own countries and lose half of their own population to save the Ayatollas' regime.
They are going to defend the Iranians more effectively than they defend Syria. Because one fifth of the world oil reserve is at stake. Imagine Israel going up against the Russian military defense, not a winning hand. I cannot even imagine Us going against Russia.
Putin said that attacking Iran is attacking Russia. What more do you want him to say.
Give us a reliable reference on that Putin statement.
mardjan... You may recall that Israel is considered to be the fourth largest nuclear power on the planet. This means that Israel is capable of turning ANY country (even Russia) into a radioactive wasteland.
Ron you have shown the real face of USA to world. Thanks. Keep it up so that world can think about a nuclear free USA.
They have just forgotten to take their pills.
You guys should consider taking birth control pills.
Same economic collapse and associated communism spewing from the Leftists, then as now. Obama is going down hard in November. Just like in the late 1970's the same economic policies didnt work, and then in 1980 all the polls said Carter was going to sweep Reagan, BUT....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/4/newsid_3192000/3192279.stm
Do you know your history?
Yes to the extent of being able to point out your judgment errors, but I sure know crazy when I see it. You are not going to war with my tax dollars.
Just as we start getting some respect for you, you revert to name calling. Sheesh! Give it a break buddy.
Taxdollars belong to everyone, that is the way it is in a democracy. If you do want it that way, go back to whatever Arab country you come from. You left that Arab country for what? a better life? to infiltrate us to ensure the tenets of islam are successful?
yes they belong to everyone, but they must be spent to benefit our people here at home. Not to gratify a bunch of trigger happy warmongering lunatics. We are broke and we will not go to war with a country that hasn't attacked us. (or anybody else for that matter)
mardjan, you are correct Iran has not attacked America.......yet.
You cannot poke the giant in the eye continuously and not expect to be squashed.
Then when America will step on you and turn your brethren into a grease spot, the rest of you will scream that you were not going to hurt anyone.
You just threatened to obliterate America and its allies.
Threatening and actually obliterating anyone is not the same, is it habibi?
OH! here goes another lunatic with the doctrine of preemptive strike! Last time somebody sold us that shoe our economy went from a surplus to a deficit. There isn't any lower than this. We cannot afford your craziness Patrick! You Gotta take your pills and go and see your shrink.
mardjan – clear your mind.
Iran is threatening to obliterate everyone.
Consequently, we advocate a pre-emptive strike.
Would you want us to wait until Iran hits us first.
Woudl that be fair in your little, teeny, tiny islamic mind?
you are hallucinating. Once you take your pills you will see that Iran is not threatening anyone and you will understand why the american taxpayer will not fund this adventure.
You are some funny guy.
THE ONLY WAY TP PEACE IN THIS EARTH IS TO DESTROY THE EVIL REPUBLIC OF IRAN, THOISE SHIIA CULT REGIEME, KILLER, THUGS, ARE DEVIL BREED, MARRY THERE RELATIVES, COUSINS AND SISTERS UNDER MOTAA ORDER, AND MAKE TAQEYA ( LIES ) ALLOWED UNDER THERE FAITH , THEREW SPIRTUAL LEADER IS LUCIFER CALLED ALMAHDI WHO IS HIDING UNDER GROUND WITH THE EVIL GAG AND MAGOG AND THEY WILL APPEAR TO DESTROY ISRAEL THATS WHAT THEY BEEN STUDY IN THE SHIIA MADRASA AND TEACH THERE EVIL KIDS.
SHIIAZIM IS EVIL...
الناشطون وصفوا الأسد بأنه حريص ويلغي ما يكتبه من صندوق الإرسال بشكل مستمر (وكالة الأنباء الأوروبية )
نشرت صحيفة ذي غارديان لائحة بأهم الشخصيات التي ورد ذكرها في ثلاثة آلاف رسالة إلكترونية حصلت عليها، والتي تقول الصحيفة إن جزءا كبيرا منها نسخ من البريد الإلكتروني للرئيس السوري بشار الأسد sam@alshahba.com. وتصف الصحيفة الشخصيات التي تبادلت الرسائل أو لها علاقة بهذا العنوان البريدي بأنها مجموعة صغيرة ولكنها متنفذة وهم كالتالي:
بشار الأسد: يقول الناشطون إن الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد يستخدم اسم "سام" (Sam) كاسم حركي في مراسلاته عبر الإنترنت. وقد لاحظ الناشطون -الذين راقبوا هذا العنوان لشهور عديدة- أن صاحبه شديد الحذر ويتمتع بحس أمني عال، ويقوم بمسح الرسائل الصادرة سريعا.
أسماء الأسد: زوجة الرئيس السوري، وتستخدم بريدا إلكترونيا تحت عنوان ak@alshahba.com للمراسلة مع العنوان المذكور والحرفان الأولان يرمزان إلى عالية كيالي معلوف. وغالبا ما خاطب sam@alshahba.comصاحبة الحرفين AوK بعبارة "عزيزتي أسماء".
ويعتقد الناشطون أن عالية كيالي الحقيقية ليس لديها حق الدخول إلى العنوان، ولكنهم لاحظوا أيضا أن صاحب هذا الحساب لا يتخذ إجراءات أمنية عالية مثل صاحب الحساب "سام". وتصف الصحيفة المراسلات بين العنوانين البريديين أعلاه، بأنها تنم عن شخصين يرتبطان بعلاقة زواج، ولكن علاقتهما ترزح تحت وطأة ضغط العمل الشديد، ولكن على أي حال فإن المراسلات بين الطرفين لا تنم عن اكتراث بالعنف الدموي الذي يجتاح سوريا.
شهرزاد الجعفري: ابنة السفير السوري لدى الأمم المتحدة، وهي في بداية العشرينيات من عمرها. ويعتقد أن الجعفري وبعد تخرجها من الجامعة في الولايات المتحدة، عملت متدربة في مؤسسة براون لويد للعلاقات العامة في نيويورك بالولايات المتحدة. وبعد عودة الجعفري إلى دمشق، سرعان ما أصبحت من المقربين من الأسد وأعلى مستشاريه الإعلاميين.
ويقول زملاؤها في مؤسسة براون إنها استمرت في التواصل معهم، واستخدمت علاقاتها مع المؤسسة لتحصل على ثقة الأسد كشخصية لها خبرة في مجال العلاقات العامة. إلا أن إحدى الرسائل التي تبادلتها الجعفري مع مسؤول رفيع المستوى في المؤسسة أظهرت دعمه للجعفري والأسد، ولكن المؤسسة بررت ذلك بأن كلمات المسؤول لم تكن سوى كلمات تشجيع لمتدربة سابقة في المؤسسة، وهي لا تعني دعما للأسد.
هديل العلي: مستشارة صحفية إلى جانب الجعفري، وتتمتع بحظوة لدى الأسد وتأخذ على عاتقها كتابة تقارير عن الصحف اليومية وطريقة تعاملها مع الشأن السوري، ووقع خطابات الأسد على المناصرين، بالإضافة الى تأمين إيصال طلبات مقابلة الأسد من صحفيين يعتبرون مقبولين لدى النظام.
لونة الشبل: مذيعة سابقة في قناة الجزيرة. تقدم دعما قويا للأسد وقد تكون من أشد المطالبين بانتهاج أسلوب متشدد إلى أكثر حد مع المعارضين السوريين. كما تقدم المشورة بشأن كيفية إبقاء الانتفاضة تحت السيطرة.
خالد أحمد: أحد اللاعبين الأساسيين في المراسلات، ويقوم بتقديم تقييمات منتظمة عن الوضع المتردي في حمص. وهو مكلف بمهام إشرافية بوصفه مسؤولا سابقا في المنطقة التي تضم حمص. ويعتقد أن لأحمد صلات بالحزب القومي الاشتراكي السوري الذي ظل ومليشياته لمدة أربعين عاما من أشد المناصرين للنظام السوري. ويردد خالد رواية النظام أن هناك إرهابيين إسلاميين مدعومين من الخارج يحركون الانتفاضة السورية.
حسين مرتضى: رئيس قناة العالم التلفزيونية الإيرانية، ويتمتع مرتضى بصلات قوية بإيران وحزب الله ويقدم النصائح والمشورة للأسد بشكل مستمر، ويدعي في مراسلاته مع "سام" بأن ما يقوله يمثل وجهة نظر إيران وحزب الله. ويعتبر مرتضى عنصرا رئيسيا في تسويق رواية النظام عن ما يجري في سوريا.
رسائل البريد الإلكتروني كشفت عن شغف أسماء الأسد بالتسوق(الفرنسية)
قالت صحيفة ذي غارديان البريطانية إن أسماء الأسد كانت تنفق عشرات آلاف الدولارات على التسوق عبر الإنترنت بينما كان الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد منهمكا بتنزيل الأغاني على آي باد وتبادلها معها ومع الأصدقاء.
وكشفت الصحيفة عن تفاصيل دقيقة تتعلق بالأسد وزوجته أسماء، وذلك بعد التمكن من اختراق بريدهما الإلكتروني الشخصي، على أيدي ناشطين معارضين، وفي حين كانت جل اهتمامات الأسد بتحميل المواد الترفيهية وإهدائها لزوجته وأصدقائه، كانت زوجته أسماء مشغولة بالتسوق عبر الإنترنت.
وأوضحت الصحيفة أنه بينما كان الصراع يحتدم على الأراضي السورية، كانت زوجة الرئيس الأسد تنفق مئات آلاف الدولارات عبر شبكة الإنترنت لشراء البضائع، وكان الأسد يتبادل روابط لمواد ترفيهية مع أصدقائه عبر جهاز آي باد، وأنه قام بتنزيل ملفات موسيقى عبر برنامج آي تونز.
وقالت ذي غارديان إنه بينما كانت المدن والبلدات السورية تتعرض للقصف بالمدفعية الثقيلة وراجمات الصواريخ كان الأسد يرسل لزوجته أسماء أغاني لمطربين غربيين.
مطرب أميركي
وأوضحت أن المدن والبلدات السورية تعرضت لقصف شديد بمدافع الهاون في الخامس من فبراير/شباط الماضي، مما أسفر عن مقتل وجرح المئات من السوريين، وأن مجلس الأمن كان يخطط لاتخاذ قرار ضد من وصفته بالدكتاتور.
وأضافت أن بريد الأسد الإلكتروني يكشف عن أنه في اليوم التالي قام بإهداء زوجته أسماء أغاني للمطرب الأميركي بليك شيلتون، وأنه قام بإنزالها من "آي تونز"، وأن بريد الأسد لم يعكس الحالة الدموية والاضطرابات التي تشهدها البلاد.
وقالت إنه لا يبدو أن حياة الأسد وعائلته والدائرة الضيقة المحيطة به كانت تبدو وكأنها تقود البلاد الثائرة من حولهم، موضحة أن مطلع إحدى الأغاني كان يقول "لقد كنت أمشي مكسور القلب، لقد زججت بنفسي في الفوضى، فالشخص الذي كنت أمثله في الفترة الأخيرة، ليس هو الشخص الذي أردت أن أكون".
وأضافت الصحيفة أن الناشطين اطلعوا على عشرات الرسائل الإلكترونية الخاصة بالبريد الشخصي للأسد وزوجته أسماء، والتي تظهر كيف أن زوجة الرئيس كانت تنفق عشرات آلاف الدولارات في التسوق عبر الإنترنت.
وقالت إن أسماء الأسد كانت توقع على مشتريات ثمينة من الأثاث المصنوع يدويا والمجوهرات والأحذية الغربية بالرمز "AAA" وأنها كانت تشتري لها ولبعض صديقاتها، وأنها كانت تعيش حياة بذخ وترف.
وأضافت أن بعض التجار الأوروبيين لا يعرفون أن المرأة التي تتسوق من محالهم عبر الإنترت هي السيدة الأولى لسوريا، ولكن بعضهم قال إنه يعرفها أو أنه قابلها مرة أو أكثر، وأنها كانت لطيفة جدا في التعامل مع التجار.
وأشارت الصحيفة إلى تفاصيل العديد من الرسائل الإلكترونية التي أرسلها الأسد لزوجته ولآخرين، وإلى أن الرئيس السوري بدا متأثرا بالأحداث في ظل تفاقم الأزمة في البلاد.
فقد كشفت عن أن بعض الرسائل الإلكترونية التي أرسلها الأسد لزوجته كانت تقول "إذا كنا أقوياء معا، فنحن سنتغلب على هذا معا. أحبك".
كما أرسل الأسد رسالة أخرى في 23 يوليو/تموز 2011 يصف فيها روبرت موردوخ بكونه يهودي وإسرائيلي وأنه شيطان.
Iran- Here is a history lesson for you and your Nuclear Program: Look up August 1945, Enola Gay, Tinian, Robert Oppenheimer, Manhattan Project, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Paul Tibbets. Need I say more?
The world badly needs a nuclear free USA.
why?
What would that look like?
A nuclear-free USA would, probably, lead to a world-wide Khalifate.
Patrick
The reason is same as for a nuclear free Iran.
Well,economic isolation is far better than war;something that i hope Netanyahu is listening to!
Your true name is either Muhammad or Ali.
Whichever is your true name, stop pretending–are you embarassed?
Are you trying to trick us?
Get over yourself. You simply are not too bright.
Are you trying to say that somehow Netanyahu (who, apparently, must be the God Himself) is capable of organizing the world-wide economic isolation of Iran?
Wow Bibi must be one powerful guy! hehehe...
No he can't. He can't even attack Iran. I know it, you know it, Khameneii knows it and Obama knows it. I don't know why he keeps insisting.
Then why are you shaking in your sandals?
Economic isolation is resulting in the killing of innocent children and people due to lack of instruments at hospitals and at other important places. The people of high class has no problem with these sanctions.Thousands of innocent children died in IRAQ due to long sanctions before Bush Jr attacked.
Long live western love for Children and innocent people.
So genius, if that is the problem, what should your leadership do?
There are two alternative to economic isolation: one is PEACE NEGOTIATIONS (which, unfortunately, Iranian leaders are unwilling to pursue). The other is USE OF FORCE.
Which one of these two alternatives you prefer, Tahir?
Patrick
Our leadership is not claiming to be a champion of freedom and human rights. It is your leadership who claims that, so ask you leadership about the innocent killing of children with sanctions.
The eidtorial is compelling. But the real threat to the regime may be internal. And what better way to rally Iran around the current leadership than to declare the country is under threat. it creates a great foundation for speaches and for sacrifice.
Haivng lived in Iran for 11 years, my gut feeling is that the current regime will either change overtime or it will be overthrown by a growing desire for personal freedom - not for comlex geopolitical reasons. I am refering to mundane things such as freedom to litern to music, going to parties, wearing the latest fashions. Perhaps young men and women meeting at coffee shops, maybe even using the same swimming pool. In the final analysis, time is on the side of the young in Iran and they care far more about personal freedom that the nuclear program.
Iran was a great country when I live there years ago. it had good relations with all countries - including the US and israel - it is hard to think of the hardship many have to endure today.
We will believe it when we see it.
As you know Abdul, your Qu'ran advocates lying in order to get what you want.
We do not believe any word or words that come out of your mouth.
If you recall that Germany was a great country prior to WWI with great traditions in science, art, music, literature, etc. and that then the Nazi regime changed it all... it might make it easier to realize that several years of fanatic racist leadership may erase centuries of great culture and traditions.
Arm the insurgents in Iran now.
Give them the means to overthrow the theocracy.
30 years ago the US armed the Mujaheddin in Afghanistan. Several years later they've became the most dangerous international terrorist network in history.
Iran should not bent. Saddam offered all kind of support but everyone know what happened to him. The end of Qaddafi was also due to his weakness which he showed. Iran will die if it bent. Nobody will believe the Iranian government no matter whatever they do to please the west.
Nobody believes the Iranian government now.
What did Sadam offer?
What kinds of weaknesses did Daffy show?
The idea is not to "please the west" but to show signs of trying to get along with all members of the human race.
I don't think that the mullahs care if we believe them or not. I don't know that I care. We are not funding another crazy war with our tax dollars.
The next column should be
How to make USA change its mind.
This will definitely bring peace to the world
Okay genius, how would you like the USA to change?
Come on habibi, say it, say it, say the words.
You want the USA to become a Muslim nation under Sharia law.
Right?
Of course why not. When you can have wishes for Iran why not the others have.
Wow, you are a most complicated guy.
So your statement is that because we might have to hit you hard to stop you from blowing us and our allies up, you now have carte blanche to try and invade us from within and install Sharia law.
Qur'an:9:88 "The Messenger and those who believe with him, strive hard and fight with their wealth and lives in Allah's Cause."
Qur'an:9:5 "Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, harass them, lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war."
Qur'an:9:112 "The Believers fight in Allah's Cause, they slay and are slain, kill and are killed."
Qur'an:9:29 "Fight those who do not believe until they all surrender, paying the protective tax in submission."
Ishaq:325 "Muslims, fight in Allah's Cause. Stand firm and you will prosper. Help the Prophet, obey him, give him your allegiance, and your religion will be victorious."
Qur'an:8:39 "Fight them until all opposition ends and all submit to Allah."
Qur'an:8:39 "So fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief [non-Muslims]) and all submit to the religion of Allah alone (in the whole world)."
Ishaq:324 "He said, 'Fight them so that there is no more rebellion, and religion, all of it, is for Allah only. Allah must have no rivals.'"
Given the NK example, a nuclear equipped Iran with a regime led by madmen guarantees you will be fed for free the rest of your life.
Threaten the SOH or Israel every so often...thousands of tons of food magically appear on your docks....
no debt....no pay.....just like ordering up a cheeseburger on the starship enterprise...
2050: half the nuke equipped world holds the other half hostage unless they give them everything they want....free.
There is a huge difference between North Korea and Iran, however. North Korean leaders want to LIVE and STAY IN POWER ruling their people and their country. Iranian leaders are willing to sacrifice millions of their own citizens in order to murder millions of Israelis.
thiner, please take your pills and go see the shrink. It will all be better.
I'll take it as admission that everything I've said was correct. If it was not the case you would tell us what you've disagreed with.
Nuclear equipped "haves" supporting nuclear equipped "have nots" at gunpoint.....
the spread of nukes is inevitable....
Welcome to the new world.
Look long and hard at your children.
Do you want them educated, happy, successful...
Stop feeding them a constant diet of poison, hate, disrespect, martyrdom, violence...
The minute moslems decide they love all those children they are spawning, there will be peace on earth.
Patrick, Thinker 23, Ron, king Kong, are you all Americans? America, that is the only supper power in the world, the beacon of all the knowledge and wisdom, source of all liberty and freedom? Your postings must reflect that. Where is the balance? Where is the other side of the story? A leader of a small country insults your president who is supposed to be the most powerful person on earth, and no body can do anything about it and you are talking like God on this site. Forget Iran and go and mend your house first.
Okay. hehehehehehehe...
Horace Walpole
Life is a tragedy for those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.
So which category do you fit yourself in? I leave it onto you to decide.
And you are adamant to prove Horace Wallop wrong: you laugh like a comedian but you don't think at all.
And life is a waste for those who neither feel nor think!!
Be good Patrick, God bless you and God bless America. It's almost midnight here in Ireland and tomorrow is Monday.
liar, liar, pants on fire.
hehehe...
Here are a few quotes from the Qu'ran on lying, I found hundreds:
Bukhari:V7B67N427 "The Prophet said, 'If I take an oath and later find something else better than that, then I do what is better and expiate my oath.'"
Qur'an 9:3 "Allah and His Messenger dissolve obligations."
Qur'an 66:2 "Allah has already sanctioned for you the dissolution of your vows."
Bukhari:V4B52N268 "Allah's Apostle said, 'War is deceit.'"
Qur'an 4:142 "Surely the hypocrites strive to deceive Allah. He shall retaliate by deceiving them."
Bukhari:V7B71N661 "Magic was worked on Allah's Apostle and he was bewitched so that he began to imagine doing things which in fact, he had not done."
Bukhari:V6B60N8 "Umar said, 'Our best Qur'an reciter is Ubai. And in spite of this, we leave out some of his statements because Allah's Apostle himself said, "Whatever verse or revelation We abrogate or cause to be forgotten We bring a better one."
Don't fart around, just write something sensible. Patrick tell me honestly, are you a skinhead?
Patrick; I hate to rain on your parade, but we haven't seen to much of your so called Muslim "love for their children" here lately as witnessed in the recent french school shootings! ...it's a novel thought though!
THIS was a good article, as it speaks to strategy. The issue from the outside is how to move Iran away from pursuing nuclear weapons, with the two choices being war or continuing sanctions if Iran continues on it's path. Iran's ambitions really don't matter, as the last thing they want is regime change. Learning how to deal with the rest of the world is an obligation every country has and Iran has to learn how to be true to itself whatever that means, while dealing with the rest of the world. Iran has to be realistic about it's ambitions and a little more pragmatic about what is really possible. If they focus on becoming a more prosperous, open and productive society with trade ties everywhere and no major nuclear program they could have a great future with their current political regime intact. Continuing the nuclear program denying inspections to all facilities and stalling will only continue to the crippling economic sanctions and damage the internal regime. Iran is between a rock and a hard place- the only way to relieve the pressure is to stop.
I really don't think they see it our way. They have a diversified economy in spite of 30 years of sanctions.What can more sanctions do. I don't see us pursuing negotiations as robustly as we should.
Yeah I agree exactly -like with Hitler. I wish there would have been more negotiations back then, instead we overacted and had WW2.
Gosh mardjan, its lucky that lamb followers like you are in the minority on this planet. How naive some people be is stunning.
Again with the "we" madjohn, as if you belong in the USA.
Everything you advocate is against the USA.
While we understand that Allah told you to lie, can you at least lie in a believable manner.
Allah the magnificent will not be happy with you. There will not be 73 virgins for you, just a whole bunch of craggy women to beat you every single day.
madjohn- did you run home to mama?
Allah told her to lie to you–not only you are ugly but not very smart.
Sorry, but I tells it like it is.
Pat Trick, were your ancestors there to welcome Columbus on that fateful day of fifteenth century. If not then shut up calling we, they, you, me etc.
Mark, habibi, did you have an affair with Cleopatra. You must be very old.
No, not the same guy, well then STFU.
By the way Mark, an American is so much more than just a member of our first Nations.
Whether you are a native or citizen of the United States, the proudest thing you can say is " I am an American".
The nature of Americans explains the precious opportunity that has drawn millions to these shores. The Declaration states that all men are endowed "with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/what-is-american
An American talks openly and does not try to sow dissent. Only duplicitous moslems come to America and try to denigrate the home land. But then, this is not the home land to you. You come here to inflitrate us and sow dissent in hope you can convert us. We see you, we know you are, and look for us because we are among you.
Patrick, you need to take your pill. Anybody who says that WWII was a good idea is crazy, but we didn't start that one and we are not going to start this war either. If Patrick has a private fortune and wants to go and give it to the cause of waging war let him do it, but he isn't going to war with my tax dollars.
madjohn, you are lying again because I have never mentioned WW2.
FK U PATRICK GET A LIFE U R A NIRD......KOS OMAK EBN AL SAHRMOOTA
hehehe...
Patrick,....... and the moment anyone dares to differ from our view point we become abusive and declare him/herMuslim, Chritian,Jew etc.
You said it.
Just re- read all your post above and you would find how far behind are you from the American values you describe above. It is onething to talk openly which is entirely different from talking hatefully. Jews are lucky they have the term 'Anti-Samitism' to keep at bay all the Jew-haters but Muslims do not seem to have such defense to keep the people like yourself attacking them and their religion. Would Muslims be subjected to similar process of annihilation before the West realizes what are they doing to them?
Marc, quit your whining buddy.
Everything I have ever said is verifiable.
Prove me wrong.
Furthermore, look at the beginning of this discussion, and you will find a great job of acting from some of your girlfriends.
They set up a situation and then one of them called our "islamaphobe."
You guys have been well trained.
You are just a little dumb.
Well, how could a self-righteous be proved wrong is beyond me.
'Everything I have ever said is verifiable'
Verifiable from Encyclopedia St. Patrica
it is better for iran that make a welfare state, economy is source for prosperity , investing to nuclear program that it is better that put these money on education, health and techonolgy
Stop lying, just muslim
this Patrick is a lost cause. It makes even bigots look bad!
Says the bigot who should know what he is talking about.
ITS GOOD THING THAT YOU IRANI CAN LIVE WITHOUT NUCLER BUT NOT WITH BAD ECONOMY YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND AS WELL THAT YOU IRANI MUST ALSO LAEAVE POLICY OF EDUCATE TO HATE TOWARDS
ISRAEL AND USA
1. Keep them away from Russia and China, before they become North Korea #2.
2. Calm down Israel, which is going to be a bigger challenge knowing they are very smart in manipulating our system to charge us into a fatal decisions.
ALLIRANIAN
You guys are the one who are trying to manipulate Americans into believing your rhetoric.
Notice, I did not say "very smart in manipulating our system to charge us into a fatal decisions" because we can spot you 10,000 miles away.
Give it up.
As to who manipulates who, have you not heard the modified version of Christina Augliera's song about the current American condition:
Am a Ginne in the Bottle Baby
And the bottle under controll of BiBi
You and all your girlfriends come to these sites trying to incite religious bigotry against Jews and Christians, and then, you call us bigots.
This is a clear case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Well all i have to say its sanctions didnt seem to have worked with NORTH KOREA why are we so intent in making people believe what really is happenning people are becoming more and more aware of what is been said rathern than what is really happenning.
Fareed, you can't MAKE Iran or anyone for that matter change their mind unless you're willing to use force, but you can try winning their hearts! ...people aren't buying that its all Bush's fault anymore!
The Democrats are desperately sounding more and more like those Republicans that they so hate when it comes to foreign policy! Obama's new wars that he created and the ones that he chose to continued really show how inept at world politics that he really is! His plea to the outgoing russian president Medvedev for more time on the supposed missle defense system for europe in hopes that it'll get relayed to Putin, isn't helping his case either. ...but they'll probably blame Bush for that too! ...LOL
Many people are viewing Obama's off mic plea as more of a betrayal of the EU. to the russians instead of a ploy for more time! Maybe, the europeans will wake up after this incident!
ISREAL MEANING THE LEADERS THERE MUST EMBRACE PEACE FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR OWN PEOPLE
AND THE WORLD PEOPLE THEREFORE TRY TO RESOLVE WITH IRAN WITHOUT WARS PLEASE ..
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