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Arab States Urge Strike Against Iran
28-Nov-2010
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has repeatedly urged the United States to attack Iran to destroy its nuclear programme, according to leaked US diplomatic cables that describe how other Arab allies have secretly agitated for military action against Tehran.
The revelations, in secret memos from US embassies across the Middle East, expose behind-the-scenes pressures in the scramble to contain the Islamic Republic, which the US, Arab states and Israel suspect is close to acquiring nuclear weapons. Bombing Iranian nuclear facilities has hitherto been viewed as a desperate last resort that could ignite a far wider war.
The Saudi king was recorded as having "frequently exhorted the US to attack Iran to put an end to its nuclear weapons programme", one cable stated. "He told you [Americans] to cut off the head of the snake," the Saudi ambassador to Washington, Adel al-Jubeir said, according to a report on Abdullah's meeting with the US general David Petraeus in April 2008.
The cables also highlight Israel's anxiety to preserve its regional nuclear monopoly, its readiness to go it alone against Iran – and its unstinting attempts to influence American policy. The defence minister, Ehud Barak, estimated in June 2009 that there was a window of "between six and 18 months from now in which stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons might still be viable". After that, Barak said, "any military solution would result in unacceptable collateral damage."
The leaked US cables also reveal that:
• Officials in Jordan and Bahrain have openly called for Iran's nuclear programme to be stopped by any means, including military.
• Leaders in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt referred to Iran as "evil", an "existential threat" and a power that "is going to take us to war".
• Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, warned in February that if diplomatic efforts failed, "we risk nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, war prompted by an Israeli strike, or both".
• Major General Amos Yadlin, Israeli's military intelligence chief, warned last year: "Israel is not in a position to underestimate Iran and be surprised like the US was on 11 September 2001."
Asked for a response to the statements, state department spokesman PJ Crowley said today it was US policy not to comment on materials, including classified documents, which may have been leaked.
Iran maintains that its atomic programme is designed to supply power stations, not nuclear warheads. After more than a year of deadlock and stalling, a fresh round of talks with the five permanent members of the UN security council plus Germany is due to begin on 5 December.
But in a meeting with Italy's foreign minister earlier this year, Gates said time was running out. If Iran were allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, the US and its allies would face a different world in four to five years, with a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. King Abdullah had warned the Americans that if Iran developed nuclear weapons "everyone in the region would do the same, including Saudi Arabia".
America is not short of allies in its quest to thwart Iran, though some are clearly more enthusiastic than the Obama administration for a definitive solution to Iran's nuclear designs. In one cable, a US diplomat noted how Saudi foreign affairs bureaucrats were moderate in their views on Iran, "but diverge significantly from the more bellicose advice we have gotten from senior Saudi royals".
In a conversation with a US diplomat, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa of Bahrain "argued forcefully for taking action to terminate their [Iran's] nuclear programme, by whatever means necessary. That programme must be stopped. The danger of letting it go on is greater than the danger of stopping it." Zeid Rifai, then president of the Jordanian senate, told a senior US official: "Bomb Iran, or live with an Iranian bomb. Sanctions, carrots, incentives won't matter."
In talks with US officials, Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed favoured action against Iran, sooner rather than later. "I believe this guy is going to take us to war ... It's a matter of time. Personally, I cannot risk it with a guy like [President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad. He is young and aggressive."
In another exchange , a senior Saudi official warned that Gulf states may develop nuclear weapons of their own, or permit them to be based in their countries to deter the perceived Iranian threat.
No US ally is keener on military action than Israel, and officials there have repeatedly warned that time is running out. "If the Iranians continue to protect and harden their nuclear sites, it will be more difficult to target and damage them," the US embassy reported Israeli defence officials as saying in November 2009.
There are differing views within Israel. But the US embassy reported: "The IDF [Israeli Defence Force], however, strikes us as more inclined than ever to look toward a military strike, whether launched by Israel or by us, as the only way to destroy or even delay Iran's plans." Preparations for a strike would likely go undetected by Israel's allies or its enemies.
The Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, told US officials in May last yearthat he and the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, agreed that a nuclear Iran would lead others in the region to develop nuclear weapons, resulting in "the biggest threat to non-proliferation efforts since the Cuban missile crisis".
The cables also expose frank, even rude, remarks about Iranian leaders, their trustworthiness and tactics at international meetings. Abdullah told another US diplomat: "The bottom line is that they cannot be trusted." Mubarak told a US congressman: "Iran is always stirring trouble." Others are learning from what they describe as Iranian deception. "They lie to us, and we lie to them," said Qatar's prime minister, Hamad bin Jassim Jaber al-Thani.
Originally published in The Guardiuan.
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C.O.P
by Mola Nasredeen on Fri Dec 03, 2010 08:12 AM PSTAfter Israelies and Arabs with the help of U.S. invade Iran they'll name a street after you so you could sell your 'laboo' there, ala, Challabi in Iraq. Or maybe you would prefer to work in King Abdollah's court.
That the best you can do....MOLLLLA?
by Cost-of-Progress on Thu Dec 02, 2010 12:32 PM PSTLoosen that turban baba...maybe you can come up with something better.... besides, by the time you people are done with Iran, there'll be no more oil wells left for anyone.....
____________
IRAN FIRST
____________
C.O.P,
by Mola Nasredeen on Thu Dec 02, 2010 12:10 PM PSTThey may give you an oil well after they ivade Iran. But only if you play your hand right and help them in the process.
hey molla, daily affirmations for you
by Cost-of-Progress on Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:00 AM PST1. Israel is bad, OK?...feel better? BUT, if you islamists leave them alone, they'll leave you alone. Besides, most logical (see clarification) Iranians don't give a hard turd about Israel no matter how much you regime chest beaters want to make it look like that they do.
Clarification - Logical refers to those who believe that Islam is incompatible with everything and MUST be kept far far from politics. We have not been able to do this for the 500 years and hence the mess we're in now.
2. Islamic regime is not only bad, it is down right dangerous
3. Nukes are definitely bad in the hands of those assbackward clergy you support - Remember that nukes were developed by the west so, aren't they automatically evil?.......Nukes must be bad bad bad - No?
4. You and a couple of other folks here have sold out your identity and your heritage to a bunch of anti nationalist thug clergy (IF you're Iranian, that is) bent on promoting their 7th century alien ideology - alien to Iran no matter how log it's been since they rammed it down our throat.
____________
IRAN FIRST
____________
S5555,
by Mola Nasredeen on Thu Dec 02, 2010 09:07 AM PST“Israel can occupy and keep Iran’s oil fields after the invasion to pay for the expenses and more. Free land, free oil, free money oh what a wonderful life it is”, so mused the Zionist.
Netanyahu
by Simorgh5555 on Tue Nov 30, 2010 11:39 PM PSTGo for it. Destroy the Islamic Republic. Pound the Mullahs, Basij, Sepah and the rest of the scum apparatus of terror of the Islamic Republic until they die. Destroy the clergy. You have my blessing.
Death to the Islamic. Free Iran!
Bushtheliberator: I do believe you
by Bavafa on Tue Nov 30, 2010 10:39 PM PSTAfter all, it requires only a moron, irresponsible, and less then average in smarts to commit in such criminal act.
Case in point, the Iraq invasion and subsequent occupation by GWB, which we are still paying for both in terms of $$$ and human life not to mention the credibility of this country.
Mehrdad
waiting for Sarah
by bushtheliberator on Tue Nov 30, 2010 09:58 PM PSTIran has no nukes;and, nukes provide no political, or military leverage unless others KNOW you got 'em ! It would be VERY awkward for the IRI to now claim to HAVE nukes.and that hasn't happened.
Remember how Saddam would punctuate his balcony speeches with shots from his bolt action rifle ? If President Palin comes out on the White House balcony with her moose gun,seek cover.
Until then, you can quit worrying about attacks on Iran.
Who
by Mola Nasredeen on Tue Nov 30, 2010 04:53 PM PSTkilled Iranian scientists you say? Israeli agents.
Time magazine article and a whole number of other political analysts say so:
"The assassination carried the signature of Israel's Mossad, which has carried out similar operations on foreign soil over the decades. Typically, a team of agents reconnoiters the target and his routines over a period of months, assessing vulnerabilities and opportunities to escape afterward. Most of the operatives are usually on their way out of the country by the time the charge is detonated by a member who sees the target enter the booby-trapped car."
//news.yahoo.com/s/time/20101130/wl_time/08599203372500
MOLA
by afshinazad on Tue Nov 30, 2010 01:46 PM PSTHow do you know that JEWS terrorised those two Iranian scientists.FYI: IRG site JAVAN: posted third attack which at same time of other two attacks and tell me how the hell they knew the locations and why is that they took out third attack out of their sites after two hours of attacks.
What is good about Islam that you are advocating: I would like to know name one which is it.
No Iranian would like to have Arab or American or anyone to attack our country, but it is needs thousands of brave man and woman to give their life for getting rid out these cancers from our country. we all know these mollas are supported by British and American and Israel and there never been a doubt about it and all these leaks are quite boring to me, because we know what Arabs feelings about us and we know they are our enemy and we don't need to hear it from wiki leaks, we have a history don't you forget that.
Distract all you want! You
by Simorgh5555 on Tue Nov 30, 2010 01:22 PM PSTDistract all you want! You still can't answer my questions. Put your head down in shame and say sorry. You sold your country to the Arabs.
The world according to a
by Mola Nasredeen on Tue Nov 30, 2010 12:52 PM PSTZionist activist on IC:
Islam is bad,
Iranians are bad,
Nader Shah is bad,
Palestinians are bad,
Arabs are bad,
Question: What is good?
Israel is good,
Occupying other peoples' land if it's done by Israel is good,
Atomic bombs if owned by Israel is good,
Killing Iranian scientists if done by Israel is good,
etc, etc, etc,
Yes Masta!
Molla
by Simorgh5555 on Tue Nov 30, 2010 09:26 AM PSTwe have survived as one nation for thousands of years without occupying and killing the natives of other nations unlike Israel
Er, not quite, Nader Shah did invade India and by all account killed a lot Indians during the Mughall Empre. He was a remarkabale figure with magnificent achievements in history although the slaughter of the Indian population was shameful.
You know nothing of Iranian history and that is clear.
But you suffer from technique #2: distraction:
Answer the question which you have avoided on so many occassions.
What is your respoense to the Palestinian (in particular the legitimate Arab government of Gaza) denial of Iranian sovereignty over the Persian Gulf and their islands?
The answers should be simple if you try not deviate from them.
Technique # 1 "Demonizing the opponent" straight from the
by Mola Nasredeen on Tue Nov 30, 2010 09:04 AM PSThandbook given to Zionist activists.
I repeat, Israel or Arab rulers don't have the courage to touch Iran. we have survived as one nation for thousands of years without occupying and killing the natives of other nations unlike Israel. Iranians possess soft power through their culture and their people (unlike Israelies who depend on aggression and violence). Iranians will overcome this atomic energy obstacle too. Eat your heart out S5555.
Mola Nasradeen
by Simorgh5555 on Tue Nov 30, 2010 07:54 AM PSTSpare us your fake indignation and patrotism for Iran!
So if the Arab rulers were not controlled by their American masters, then Arab public opinion and popular Arab leader would side with Iran?
The poster boy and THE ARAB anti-imprialist, anti-Israeli and anti-western Gemal Nasser proclaimed that the entire Khuzestan provicne of Iran (Arabestan, as he called it) belonged to Arabs and made sure to commemorate the Arab victory over the Persian rulers in the battle of Al-Qaddasiy. Your beloved Hasmas, Fatah and the rest of the so-called anti-West Arab popular movements still see eye to eye in relation to Arab dominance over Persia, the Persian Gulf and its Islands as evdient in their public proclomations and text books teaching children about the Arabian Gulf. .
Its not just the corrupt Arab rulers or 'dogs' of the West you need to direct you anger to but your beloved Palestinian who bite the hand that feeds them.Even your Palestinian friend and Press TV regular George Galloway has been on air calling the Persian Gulf the Arabian Gulf. The Iranian state paying for his salary to appear on Press TV. Hah!
Ask yourself whether it is still fighting tor the Palestinian cause and risking the provocation of Israel just for your love for your Arab brethren.
Stop preternding to be Iranian. You are an Philo-Arab Islamofile masquerading as an Iranian. We don't need your fake concern for Iran. Keep it for the Palestinians.
The world has become very confusing
by Artificial Intelligence on Mon Nov 29, 2010 09:35 PM PSTSuddenly The world has become a very confusing place for our resident
IRI apologists. Do they keep on blaming AIPAC, jooooooos and Zionist or
do they blame the entire MUSLIM Arab world (excluding Syria)? Watch:
their new excuse will be that "the Arab street" does not feel this way.
As if the Arab street means anything. The Arab street has the same
useless vote that our unfortunate hamvatans have possessed for the past
30 years.
Israel and Arab rulers,like dogs licking their master's hands
by Mola Nasredeen on Mon Nov 29, 2010 07:54 PM PSTto attack Iran to save their corrupt criminal regimes, why? because they don't have the courage to touch the great Iranian nation.
What's all the fuss about?
by Anonymous Observer on Mon Nov 29, 2010 08:31 AM PSTUnlike the IR which won't hesitate a minute to sacrifice every man, woman and child in Iran over its ideology, other nations do what they think is in the interest of their people.
It doesn't take a genius to realize that a nuclear armed--or even empowered--Iran will be a strategic threat to the other major nations in the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia which sits just across the Persian Gulf, and the UAE, with whom Iran has a dispute over the three islands.
Moreover, unlike the IR which sent Iranian children to walk on mines so that Ghods can be liberated, Saudis figure that they can minimize their risks and casualties if they get the U.S. to attack Iran for them. Plus, they're probably incapable of doing it themselves anyway.
So, what's the fuss all about? Unlike the IR which puts ideology first--Iran be damned--other nations put their national interests first.
Remember the great Imam Khomeini's words:
"I say let Iran burn if it benefits Islam." Other nations don't think that way.
Israel has found itself an ally in ME
by Bavafa on Mon Nov 29, 2010 08:05 AM PSTNone other then the ruling Sheikh of Saudi Arabia.
Kabootar ba kabootar, baaz ba baaz konand parvaz.
Mehrdad
P.S. If I were an Israeli, I would try to put a lid on this and keep it from public domain as much as I possilby can.
disgusting face... culture and behaviors
by sara29-1978 on Mon Nov 29, 2010 07:59 AM PSTi wish iranian would stop going to Saudi Arabia....
I like to see
by Raoul1955 on Mon Nov 29, 2010 06:20 AM PSTA photo of the Saudi king without his 'man-hijab.' :-)
I think I just made up an expression. Well, that is Raoul again. LOL
Middle Eastern prostitutes at work
by Safedjamegan on Mon Nov 29, 2010 05:53 AM PSTFomenting trouble? Any sane person who read these 'cables' would probably understand that Saudis are the ones who are fomenting trouble, religious hatred and what have you. IRR is not perfect and it has a bad human rights record. But at least it has its soul, it's the only state right now which dares not to obey/conform and stands for some justice. Not like those prostitutes mentioned in the article which would sell anything to get theirs right.
Reality hurts
by Fred on Mon Nov 29, 2010 12:38 AM PSTThis news calls for another set of nonsensical articles telling the sane world all will be Ok and them weaponized nuke acquiring messianic Islamist Rapists will self-destruct.
Alas the intended victims are not willing to believe in such nonsense.
For over three decades Islamist Rapists have been fomenting trouble and religious hatred targeting in particular the Saudis. And now IRR is close to getting the ultimate weapon of persuasion, what else would be expected of the Saudis and others?
Alarmist
by NASSER SHIRAKBARI on Sun Nov 28, 2010 09:45 PM PSTSame old crap...Arab-Israeli alarmist to get US to do their dirty work. What else is new?