By Kenneth J. Theisen, 5/11/07
Vice-President Dick Cheney threatened Iran from the
deck of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. John C. Stennis on May 11, 2007. He stated, “With two carrier strike groups in
the Gulf, we”re sending clear messages to friends and adversaries alike”The
United States] will stand with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons
and dominating this region.” The U.S. has maintained two carrier task forces in
the region for a long time both to support military action in Iraq, but also with the potential to launch
attacks on Iran.
Cheney has repeatedly issued threats to Iran on behalf
of the Bush regime. On February 25,
2007, he appeared at a joint press conference with John Howard, the Australian
Prime Minister. There he stated,
“It would be a serious mistake if a nation like Iran were to become a nuclear
power.” He threatened that “All options are still on the table,” to
prevent Iran
from becoming a nuclear power.
It is interesting that his latest threat also includes the
words “to prevent Iran”dominating
the region.” It is well known that the Bush regime fears Iran’s influence with various Shiite forces in Iraq. In January of this year, the White House issued
a power point presentation to the media.
On one page were the words, “Our Allies in the region are concerned
about Iranian influence in Iraq”Iran has been cultivating influence in Iraq through
all means at its disposal. Iran’s
threat involves both lethal action and the burrowing of Iranian actors into
Iraqi institutions.”
Over the last few months the Bush regime has repeatedly
accused Iran of interfering
in Iraq. It has accused Iran
of smuggling weapons and sophisticated IEDs into the country as well as of
training “terrorists” to conduct operations in Iraq. All these accusations and the rhetoric around
Iran’s nuclear program are
all designed to give the U.S.
political cover for attacking Iran
in the future.
Many people do not believe that the U.S. will attack Iran
while it is bogged down in Iraq
and Afghanistan. But this latest threat by the Vice-President
should alert everyone that the administration is very capable of launching such
an attack. No doubt the Bush regime will continue to make charges against Iran concerning its alleged intent to acquire
nukes and also regarding Iranian interference in Iraq. But do not be lulled into
believing it is just rhetoric. The regime has already attacked two nations in
the region and even the VP says it is a “clear message.” We just need
to listen.