The Iranian Threat Coverage

"Time's running out for Obama in Iran" The Guardian, By Simon Tisdall (3/8/2009): Humiliated by North Korea's nuclear defiance, struggling to keep Israel on side in planned Middle East peace talks, and with engagement undermined by the regime's brutality, Obama still wants to talk to Iran – but may lack the political strength to keep the path to dialogue open much longer. His officials are already anticipating that moment. "Clinton: No illusions about Iran talks" The Associated Press (9/8/2009) "America will confront Iran alone if the United Nations dithers" Times Online, By Bronwen Maddox (4/8/2009) "There is a Military Option on Iran" The Wall Street Journal, By Chuck Wald (6/8/2009): The military can play an important role in solving this complex problem without firing a single shot. Publicly signaling serious preparation for a military strike might obviate the need for one if deployments force Tehran to recognize the costs of its nuclear defiance. Mr. Obama might consider, for example, the deployment of additional carrier battle groups and minesweepers to the waters off Iran, and the conduct of military exercises with allies.

If such pressure fails to impress Iranian leadership, the U.S. Navy could move to blockade Iranian ports. A blockade—which is an act of war—would effectively cut off Iran’s gasoline imports, which constitute about one-third of its consumption. Especially in the aftermath of post-election protests, the Iranian leadership must worry about the economic dislocations and political impact of such action.

Should these measures not compel Tehran to reverse course on its nuclear program, and only after all other diplomatic avenues and economic pressures have been exhausted, the U.S. military is capable of launching a devastating attack on Iranian nuclear and military facilities... But the risks of military action must be weighed against those of doing nothing. If the Iranian regime continues to advance its nuclear program despite the best efforts of Mr. Obama and other world leaders, we risk Iranian domination of the oil-rich Persian Gulf, threats to U.S.-allied Arab regimes, the emboldening of radicals in the region, the creation of an existential threat to Israel, the destabilization of Iraq, the shutdown of the Israel-Palestinian peace process, and a regional nuclear-arms race...

"Iran in arms race with Israel" Al Jazeera, By Paul Beaver (6/8/2009) "Countdown" Al Jazeera (6/8/2009): As mutual fear, mistrust and polarisation increases between Iran and Israel, an arms race between the two sworn enemies is gathering momentum. Central to this is the Russian-made S-300 missile system. "NKorea, Iran use similar script to get their way" The Associated Press, By Brian Murphy (6/8/2009) "Hezbollah rockets part of Iran and Israel's political game of chess" Times Online, By Richard Beeston (5/8/2009) "Hezbollah stockpiles 40,000 rockets near Israel border" Times Online, By Richard Beeston (5/8/2009)