How do you appraise the intentions of an enemy? You analyze both their actions and their official statements. Iran is stating in very clear terms that they will not be pressured into a compromise concerning their nuclear program. Economic sanctions have failed and the West only has one option left: war. But no one wants war. Especially in an election year where Obama’s 2008 campaign promises concerning foreign wars have been broken. Our future is not in our hands but in the hands of Russia, Iran and Israel.
Probable outcome: Putin will use Iran or an Iranian conflict to deflect attention from the civil war in Syria. Nothing is more important to Russia at this point in time than saving their naval status in Tartus, Syria. Nothing is more important to Obama than getting reelected. Again, Iran is playing chess while the United States is playing checkers.
David DeGerolamo
Update 5/14/12
Iran Boasts US Has Abandoned Israel
Iran Warns West against Miscalculations, Says Pressure Strategy Endangers Baghdad Talks
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with the six world powers called on the western states to avoid “unconstructive remarks” ahead of the upcoming talks between Tehran and the Group 5+1 in Baghdad, warning that the era of “pressure strategy” has long ended and “any kind of miscalculation” would endanger success of the negotiations.
“The era of the strategy of pressure has ended,” Saeed Jalili said in a meeting here in Tehran on Sunday with Former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard, alluding to some recent remarks by a number of western officials.
He further noted some western officials’ illogical comments and unfounded claims which have been repeatedly rejected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and cautioned these western officials to avoid “unconstructive remarks”.
“Any kind of miscalculation by the West will deter success of the Talks,” Jalili underlined, and added, “In Baghdad, we will be waiting for the building of the Iranian nation’s confidence.”
The former French premier, for his part, said that the “Istanbul talks were a positive step ahead”, and expressed the hope that Iran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) would continue the path of understanding that they started in Istanbul so that “we will witness the pleasure and mutual understanding of all sides”.
“Such a success will be in the interest of all, including France,” he reiterated.
Iran and the Group 5+1 restarted negotiations in Istanbul last month and the sides have agreed to meet again in Baghdad on May 23.
