Seven days ago, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying that the sanctions by the U.N. had no effect on the nation of Iran, and would not deter the Nuclear program. He also said the Iran was fast becoming a Super Power, which was scaring the West. This according to a February 2nd story in the New York Times Read on. >>>
"We are rapidly becoming a superpower," Mr. Ahmadinejad told reporters after laying flowers on the tomb of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on the 28th anniversary of the revolution he led in 1979.
"Our strength does not come from military weapons or an economic capability," the ISNA news agency quoted him as saying. "Our power comes from our capability to influence the hearts and souls of people, and this scares them," he added, referring to the West.
"That’s why they are using psychological warfare and impose sanctions. But the language of sanctions belongs to the past."
On January 25th The Counclie on Foreign Relations published an article that stated the Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was calling for the Iranian President to be reeled in.
The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his chief arms negotiator Ali Larijani, who wield more influence over foreign policy than Ahmadinejad, have indicated they may soften Iran's nuclear stance.
Khameini and other elements within Iran's ruling class appear intent on reining in Ahmadinejad. His anti-Western rhetoric and nuclear posturing, domestic critics say, have only undermined Iran's position and damaged its economy.
However it now seems that that the Ayatollah has had a change of heart, due to the continuing threats of the Bush administration. According to the France 24 The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has warned the United states not to attack Iran, and that the nuclear programs will go on.
"The enemies understand well that the Iranian nation will give a comprehensive response to the aggressors and their interests worldwide," Khomeini added, according to state-run television.
Although the United States has said it wants the standoff over the Iranian nuclear program to be solved through diplomacy, Washington has never ruled out military action to thwart Tehran's atomic drive.
Speaking to his Air Commanders the Ayatollah said that any rational leader would not put his country in such great jeopardy. He went on to say,
"Of course some say the US President (George W. Bush) does not think about the consequences of his actions, but some sanity could be put into the head of even these people."
Former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Said that attacking Iran would not be easy, and that the problems in Iraq would grow ten times if such an attack would happen.
It should expect its current problems in Iraq to increase 10 times if it attacks Iran," said Rafsanjani, who currently heads Iran's legislative arbitration body.
His comments came on the second and final day of war games by Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, who Thursday successfully test-fired a land-to-sea missile with a range of 350 kilometers (210 miles).
The missiles tested were purchased from Russia. A convoy from Iran was in Russia discussing the standoff with the West.
"You are seeing the Iranian side's response, a return message," he was quoted as saying by the Interfax agency. "Steps taken by Russia of course have Iran's support."
It seems that it is almost inevitable that a confrontation is going to take place between these tow nations. You have the 40thousand or so Iranians in Iraq, poised to strike if or when the Bush administration strikes. The U. S. has a build up in the Persian Gulf, and seems to be building n the borders of Iran. You have the administration members leaking things like,
Vice-President Cheney believe their opportunity to control Iran's oil will pass unless they act no later than the spring."
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On top of the leak about George W. Bush’s Six Day War plan, where he plans to take out 700 key Iranian positions in 6 days.
It is no longer will there be a war between Iran and The United States, but When will it start?
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