Monday, February 8, 2010

New Threats from Iran: February 11?

First it was Iranian President Ahmadinejad threatening "the West", now Iran's "Supreme Leader", Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is also making direct threats aimed at "Western powers":


"Iran anniversary will be 'punch' to West: Khamenei"

Quotes:


"Iran's all powerful supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution would be a "punch" to the world's "arrogant" powers that would stun them."
"The Iranian nation, with its unity and God's grace, will punch the arrogance (Western powers) on the 22nd of Bahman (February 11) in a way that will leave them stunned," Khamenei, who is also Iran's commander-in-chief, told a gathering of air force personnel."

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"Ayatollah Khamenei: Israel's destruction will be imminent"

Quotes:


"While world leaders continue seeking any alternative to confronting Irans true intentions regarding its 'peaceful nuclear program'and remain deaf to what their stated goals are, the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei came out and said on Sunday the destruction of Iran's arch-foe Israel was "imminent," and called for continued resistance against the Jewish state, state media reported."

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"Iran's Supreme Leader: West can't save Israel"

Quotes:


"Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said Sunday that Western support of Israel was ineffective, telling a top Palestinian militant leader that its obliteration was imminent according to the will of God."

"In his comments, Khameini joined a long list of top Iranian officials, especially President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who have said on several occasions in the past that Israel should be destroyed."

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This is an interesting set of comments. First, we see that Iran is threatening something, or, in the words of the Ayatollah a "punch" to the west which will leave them stunned. Then we see that Israel's destruction is now "imminent". Then last but not least, we see it stated that the "west" would be incapable of helping Israel.

This could simply represent more rhetoric that has been typical coming from Iran's leaders. This has been going on for several years. However, this is somewhat different from past statements, as a specific date has been set, and for the first time (that I can recall), it is being stated that the "west" (aka the U.S.) will be unable to help...After having stated that the "west" would receive a "punch", leaving it "stunned".

Are these events somehow connected? Some kind of action against the "west", which would render them (U.S.) incapable of helping Israel?

It is hard to know how seriously to take this latest round of threats directed against Israel and the U.S.

However, the 11th of February is coming up this week, so we will have our answers soon enough.

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