US rattles saber against Iran in attempt to stall Israeli strike

Published time: September 03, 2012 12:30
Edited time: September 03, 2012 16:30
AFP Photo / Black Midnight

The US announced it will take further indirect action against Iran in an effort to delay a possible Israeli strike against the country. Washington’s plans to halt Iran’s embattled nuclear program include military exercises in the Persian Gulf.

In addition to increasing US naval activity in the region, Washington is also preparing to intensify economic sanctions against Iran’s oil industry, the New York Times reported.

The US – along with 25 other countries – will conduct extensive joint minesweeping exercises in the Persian Gulf in October. The move aims to increase pressure on Iran and prevent it from closing the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has also scheduled war games for this autumn, which are intended to dissuade the international community against an attack.

Washington is currently treading a fine line in the Israel-Iran dispute amid increasingly hawkish rhetoric from the Israeli government, which is pressing for an immediate strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The Obama administration has urged Israel to refrain from military action and allow more time for diplomatic initiative. On Sunday, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanhayu called on world leaders to draw a “clear red line” for action against Iranian nuclear activities.

Israel has criticized Washington for its perceived unwillingness to back an Israeli strike against Iran’s nuclear program.

A UN report released on Thursday said that although Iran had more than doubled the number of centrifuges in its fortified underground facility at Fordo since May, the new machines are still not operational. Israel and the US accuse Iran of enriching uranium for in order to build atomic weapons. Iran denies the claims, maintaining that its nuclear activities are purely for civilian purposes.

The Israeli PM cited the new centrifuges as overwhelming evidence that the sanctions implemented by the US and other western countries had been ineffective.

"The report confirms what I have been saying for a long time, international sanctions are a burden on Iran's economy but they are not in any way delaying the advancement of Iran's nuclear program," Netanyahu said.

The Obama administration has faced increasing criticism from Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney for being "soft’"on Iran.

Romney previously stated that he would never allow Iran the capability to produce weapons-grade uranium. He also slammed Obama’s diplomatic stance on Iran, accusing him of endangering the US and alienating Israel.

The Obama administration is also weighing the use of covert espionage and direct military action, the New York Times reported.

Comments (103)

Yannis (unregistered) 09.09.2012 00:18

Americans and NATO cant even beat the Taliban. As for the stiking Israelis they couldnt beat Hezbollah. More Israel scum soldiers got killed in 2006 war than Hezbollah fighters. One thing Israel has to ask itself what if Iran has nukes. Pakistan has them so does North Korea. Another question what if Assad manage to give some chemical weapons to Hezbollah. Im pretty sure that Israel attacks Iran with Nukes Israel will be destroyed. Israel is only good enough to fight stone throwing Palestenians. Oh by the way Ultra Slavic Nationlism is on the rise, also Nationalism is also in the rise in Greece. Jews and zionist sympathisers will  definetly not be a safe haven in Russia or in Greece.

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DavidR (unregistered) 04.09.2012 12:14

I had to stop in and see ur responses...So disappointed. "Dear Jews" just spews nonsense, ignoring the fact that for over 3000 years we keep leaving and returning to our homeland.
i do not disagree that most Diasporas end in flames. We tend to be successful wherever we go... Rising to the top in fields like Medicine, education, Law and Finance. The locals become envious and then the party starts again. That is why we keep heading home. Israel is a wonderful place but what we really need to do there is import a couple of million fools like you guys on this site. That way we will have some one with who to do business-LMFAO

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BRICS Must Displayed More Global Leadership (unregistered) 04.09.2012 09:38

BRICS countries should learn to show some global leadership. 


It can start by tapping the opinions and stand of the global community via the United Nations.  It should play the ground and gather the support of the member countries of the UN to pass resolutions or proposals on world events. 


It could propose resolutions condemning the US. and Israel's theat to attack Iran and its unilateral economic and financial sanctions against the Iranian people.  It could condemn the U.S. for its war-mogering posture in East Asia.  it could condemn the U.S. for being trigger happy in shooting at an Indian fishing boat thereby killing and injuring its occupants. It could condemn the U.S. for the killings in Afghanistan and Pakistan against innocent civilians by crazed American soldiers.  And so many more ....

 
Le t the world's medias pick up these voices of the global citizens represented by their countries against any tyrants.  Let them be shamed and despised.  Let the world know its has power. 


Let more global medias be set up to counter all the lies and manipulation of news and information by Washington and its clique through presenting news censored, omitted, expurgated, or downplayed by the Anglo-American medias, and present news and analysis corrected of the slants and bias by their writers and journalists. And downplay all the non news but negative news wilfully played up by these same American medias to destroy the good image of their "enemies".


Let there be key parallel global institutons set up not under the control and manipulation of the U.S. and its cliques.



gon

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