Iranian Missile Tests Trigger Renewed Threats from U.S.

By Kenneth J. Theisen

U.S. threats against and pressure on
Iran intensified yet again this past week, despite the Bush Regime’s
alleged diplomacy to resolve conflict between the two countries.  On
Wednesday and Thursday Iran tested missiles that it said could be used
against its enemies.  Iranian State radio announced that, “Deep
in the Persian Gulf waters, the launch of different types of ground-to-sea,
surface-to-surface, sea-to-air and the powerful launch of the Hoot missile
successfully took place.”  Iran claimed at least one of the missiles
was capable of striking Israel. The tests were meant to show Tehran’s
ability to retaliate if the U.S. or Israel attacks its nuclear facilities.

The Israeli government quickly indicated
that it is more than ready for war with Iran. On Thursday, July 10,
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said, “Israel is the strongest
country in the region and has proved in the past it is not afraid to
take action when it’s vital security interests are at stake.” 
Also in response to the tests, U.S. Secretary of State Rice stated,
“We will defend our interests and defend our allies. We take very,
very strongly our obligations to defend our allies and no one should
be confused of that. I don’t think the Iranians are too confused, either,
about the capability and the power of the United States to do exactly
that.” She reminded reporters of U.S. arms sales to U.S. allies
in the region and the $30 billion military arms deal with Israel in
2007 which were all justified as necessary protections against Iran. 

These statements indicate that the so-called
military option is still very much “on the table” as a tool of U.S.
imperialism against Iran. Just last month, Israel staged military maneuvers
in the eastern Mediterranean which were clearly intended to be seen
by the world as a dress rehearsal for a possible strike against Iran.

In a related move intended to put pressure
both on Iran and its potential allies in the international arena, the
U.S. and the Czech Republic recently signed an agreement that allows
the U.S. to deploy part of an anti-ballistic missile program in the
Czech Republic.  The Bush regime contends that the missile shield is
intended to protect Europe against Iranian missiles. Secretary of State
Rice said the planned missile shield is one of “elements of America’s
intention and determination to prevent Iran from threatening our interests
or the interests of our friends and allies.”  It “will make
it more difficult for Iran to threaten and be bellicose and say terrible
things [because] their missiles won’t work.” Of course she did
not mention that the so-called shield is also a threat to Russia and
that Russia is vigorously opposed to the deployment of any such American
missile system in the heart of Europe. A report in the London Telegraph
said that “Vladimir
Putin, the Russian prime minister, even threatened to retrain nuclear
missiles on Europe if the system was deployed.” 

Military Maneuvers and Diplomatic
Weapons

At the same time as all of this tension
over missile tests and shields exists, both the British and American
war machines are engaged in naval and air maneuvers in the Persian Gulf,
and clandestine military operations within Iran itself.  Iran has also
conducted naval training exercises and war games in the area recently.
In such a hair-trigger environment, the possibility of an “incident” 
-either staged or “accidental” – arising from such maneuvers is
very real, and could well be the catalyst for a more all out conflict.
Also, Seymour Hersh recently wrote in the New Yorker that “The Bush
Administration, while publicly advocating diplomacy in order to stop
Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon, has increased clandestine activities
inside Iran and intensified planning for a possible major air attack.”

The Bush administration also continues
to wield its diplomatic weapons against Iran.  In testimony before the
Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs committees Undersecretary
of State William J. Burns claimed the U.S., along with China, Russia,
Britain, France and Germany, is offering to suspend some economic sanctions
if Iran suspends uranium enrichment.  The U.S. claims the enrichment
program is part of Iran’s attempts to acquire nuclear weapons. Burns
stated that “we are committed fully to using all diplomatic tools.”
But he also added the familiar refrain of the Bush regime that, “we
view force as an option, but a last resort.”  He described the Iranian
missile tests as “disturbing and provocative.” In his appearance
before the House committee he stated, “Iran reminded us again today
that it is moving ahead with a missile system which could be used to
deliver a weapon.”

As part of its diplomacy, the U.S. has
also indicated that it is now willing to conduct direct negotiations
with the Iranians.  Secretary Rice claimed that the U.S. would join Russia,
China, Germany, France, and Great Britain in conducting talks with Tehran.
But she also stated that the missile tests indicate “evidence that
the missile threat is not an imaginary one.”

After the tests, Secretary of War Robert
Gates stated, “I think this certainly addresses the doubts raised
by the Russians that the Iranians won’t have a longer-range ballistic
missile for 10 years to 20 years. The fact is they’ve just tested a
missile that has pretty extended range.”  In the past Gates has claimed
that the Iranians are “hellbent” on acquiring nukes as quickly as
possible.  The Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Admiral Mike Mullen stated
the Iranian tests represent a “capability that raises the ante
in the long run in that part of the world.” Other U.S. military
sources alluded to the fact that nuclear warheads could be attached
to these missiles. Of course this is to scare people into believing
that Iran is now a threat to world peace and that any actions against
Iran are justified. 

Tactical Differences, Strategic Unity

We know the Bush regime continues to
use all of its weapons, including diplomacy, sanctions, propaganda and
of course the “military option” against Iran, but what was the response
of the two leading contenders for president this week?

Obama stated, “”What this underscores
is the need for … a clear policy that is putting the burden on Iran
to change behavior. And frankly, we just have not been able to do that
the last several years, partly because we’re not engaged in direct diplomacy.”
But like the Bush regime he also called for sanctions.  He said, “Iran
is a great threat. We have to make sure we are working with our allies
to apply tightened pressure on Iran.” In another statement after
the tests he stated, “that it is in nobody’s interests, including
Iran’s, I believe, to have a nuclear weapon that could trigger a nuclear
arms race in the region. That’s something that I intend to make a No.
1 priority when I’m in the White House.” He did not mention that
Israel already has more than 100 nukes when he referred to a nuclear
arms race in the region.  But then in his recent appearance before AIPAC
he promised Israeli supporters he would do “everything” to prevent
Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.  He repeated “everything” three
times in case someone missed it.

McCain also pushed for tougher sanctions
after the tests. Despite the lack of evidence, McCain claimed there
is “continuing, mounting evidence that Iran is pursuing the acquisition
of nuclear weapons.” (He must be taking lessons from Dick Cheney.)
 He did not indicate what that evidence was. He went on to say, “I
am convinced that our European allies and friends are ready to impose
significant, impactful and meaningful sanctions on the Iranians, especially
financial, and including trade and international financial systems,
and that those sanctions can be effective in modifying Iranian behavior”there
have been negotiations, there have been discussions, there have been
packages of incentives offered to the Iranians, which have been rejected
time after time. It’s time for action and it’s time to make Iranians
understand that this kind of violation of international treaties, this
kind of threatening of their neighbors, this kind of continued military
activity is not without costs.” Mc Cain also used the occasion
to push for the missile shield program in Europe.   

While Bush, Obama, and McCain may differ
in tactics about how to “deal” with Iran, they and the ruling class
they represent are in agreement that Iran must be eliminated as an obstacle
to U.S. control of the Middle East. The so-called nuclear threat that
Iran poses seems to be the cause which the ruling class has decided
to rally around at the moment.  But this is just an excuse and can not
be used to fool us into supporting the Bush, Obama or McCain regimes
if they decide to attack Iran.  We can not be misled as they use sanctions,
diplomacy, propaganda, and other tools to justify military aggression. 
Any attack against Iran is wrong and not in the people’s interests
and must be opposed.   

Ken Theisen is a veteran activist
of movements opposing U.S. imperialism, its wars and domination of countries
throughout the world, and an advocate against domestic violence in the
San Francisco Bay Area.