Plausible deniability is good. It really did not matter what Iran did. There was simply no formula that was acceptable, other then turning over all of its processed material. Since all countries in this world use radioactive material in medicine, it is only Iran that is not allowed. Iran seems to be doing the only thing they can. In the absence of anything that would be acceptable, they are just moving on. Since it is not up to them to control anything, they can only ratchet up, and hope to call the bluff. Anyone noticed how up until now US intelligence did not change its position that Iran does not have nuclear program, and that having considered it decades ago, never started it? Or IAEA position that Iran does not have the nuclear program? In the face of such cognitive dissonance, politicking is the only thing that makes sense. It is China's turn to play the "bad cop", while Russia is going along to get along. Clearly, somebody is gunning for confrontation, and is pushing others to conceede as much as possible in the name of "keeping peace". May appear like a good racket, but somebody here is riding the back of a tiger. Soner or later, the howlings of war may become much too real. I really wonder if the state of the economy is dictating such a maniacal push.

Russia should do what it takes to prevent American barbarism showing its colors once again. Give Iran S-300 and S-400 and anything they need to defend themselves.

US will never be satisfied until Iran is reduced to the level of a goat herding nation. A technologically advanced Iran is unacceptable to America. The Americans are today condemning Iran for acquiring nuclear technology and expertise. They are also condemning Iran for acquiring missile expertise and manufacturing capability. Soon, the American will accuse Iran educating too many intelligent students, and the Americans will demand that these students be sent to the United States to ensure that their talents are not used for advancement of Iran. Iran should not even step on this American powered merry go round of insanity, because this merry go round will never stop - more and more demands will be made on Iran to ensure that the country never becomes an advanced nation. My opinion is that the best way for Iran to escape from the endless American condemnations and threats is to develop a nuclear arsenal as soon as possible. History has shown that the United States has never attacked a nuclear armed nation; however, they have a long history of attacking weak nations who are unable to defend themselves - like little defenseless Serbia. If Americans do attack Iran, it will only be because the Pentagon generals feel confident that Iran is too weak to defend itself. These generals would not have the courage to attack an Iran that can strike back defensively - that is why Russia must send Iran all the defensive weapons it needs to deter an American attack and ensure peace in the region.

America has long had an "anaconda doctrine" to weaken a target country through a series of measures so that an attack will be successful. Iran is currently the recipient of this big squeeze to ensure that she can not defend herself when America decides to attack. That is why America is putting pressure on Russian not to sell S-300 and S-400 defensive missiles to Iran, and doing all she can to ensure that other nations won't help Iran defend herself against any American "shock and awe" attack. What I find interesting is that America and NATO seem to be employing the same "anaconda" tactics with the Russian Federation, but of course in a much more subtle manner and with a different objective. Slowly America and NATO are surrounding the Russian Federation with its missiles. At the same time, America and NATO are projecting themselves into former USSR republics like the Baltic countries, Poland, Romania, Georgia, Muslim republics, etc. Hypocritically, America and NATO have the gall to ask RF to send troops to Afghanistan to help their occupation of that country. The objective of this Great Squeeze on the Russian Federation is yet to be determined. I don't think it's war, but it may be associated with the West's desire to put the Russian Federation in its place - sort of like pushing Iran into a goat herding status.

Kihnu, Yes, you are correct about Iran, and also about Russia being in the sights of the US empire builders. Iran have spent the last 30 years 'defending' themselves against the US, firstly from a possible US invasion, secondly from 'proxy wars' (ie US backed Iraq), and thirdly, later / currently a direct US strike, or a strike by one of its proxys. Iran have had 30 years to prepare for a confrontation and have developed a considerable ability to significantly hurt US interests in the region, and even on US soil by various 'assymetrical' methods. The US are well aware of this and this may be why, up until now, the US have refrained from direct military action against Iran. Ultimately however Iran (if it wishes to avoid 'being bombed back to the stone age') needs to be placed under a 'nuclear umbrella'. This could be provided to a limited extent by its neibour Pakistan (which itself only survives because of these weapons and the ability to deliver them), or much more effectively by Russia, who would also significantly strengthen their own hand, especially if they could base missiles inside Iran itself. Now that would really set the cat amongst the pigeions would it not.

Iran does not have nuclear weapons and is not pursuing them, as all reliable evidence points out. All these nuclear weapons accusations are as real as the scary stories about Saddam Hussein and Iraq 7 years ago. Coincidentally, these stories are being spread by the same freaks that were scaring us with Iraq's WMD in 2003. Iranian nuclear weapons are a red herring. They do not exist. Obama knows it. Russia knows it. The zionist entity knows it. The US govt. knows it. This is about overthrowing the present Iranian government, replacing it with a pro-US puppet regime and steal Iran's resources. The false nuclear weapons charge is just a weapon in the US arsenal of deceit. Only an idiot would think that Iran is a threat to world security. Don't believe the BS nuclear Iran hype! Let the IAEA do its job and leave politics out of it!

The Old Man, I don't foresee any possibility of Russia placing its missiles in Iran, and definitely not any of its nuclear weapons, primarily because of the instability of the country. However, Russia could help Iran by delivering air defense weapons and advanced radar. Russia could also help Iran replace its aging fleet of US aircraft. The Russian Federation can maneuver herself into an advantageous position with respect to Iran - sort of a "win-win" situation. If RF helps Iran defend itself and the US does not attack, the Iranians will be grateful. If the US does do the unthinkable and attacks, the Iranian people will know that the RF stood by them. An American military attack on Iran is wrought with unimaginable danger for the US. The Americans will soon realize that their attack did not achieve its goal of destroying Iranian nuclear capability, and the Iranian reprisals will set the Middle East ablaze from Tel Aviv to the Indian border. The US then has only once choice, and that is a full scale invasion and occupation of Iran. Any leader of another country would be out of his her her mind to join America in such lunacy. Tony Blair probably would join in, but he is out of office.

It is highly unlikely that there will be any kind of major military conflict with Iran anytime in the near future. Perhaps a little saber rattle here and there will occur, but nothing serious will result. It is not in Iran's interest to push this thing that far.

Paul, Iraq had WMD as was noted by every nation of the world --check the records. It was Russia that hauled them out before the war and burried them in Syria---they will turn up one day, buried in the deserts of Syria. As for the US wanting to start a war with Iran, if it were necessary, the war would come, but hopefully the people of Iran will rise up and take over before war is necessary.