U.S. strike on Iran likelier than ever, former CIA chief says
Michael Hayden says Iran intends to reach the point where it's just below having a nuclear weapon, adding that such a step would be as destabilizing to the region as the 'real thing.'
By The Associated Press and Haaretz ServiceA former CIA director says military action against Iran now seems more likely because no matter what the U.S. does diplomatically, Tehran keeps pushing ahead with its suspected nuclear program.
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A U.S. fighter jet taking off from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, Sunday, June 6, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
Michael Hayden, a CIA chief under President George W. Bush, said that during his tenure "a strike was way down the list of options." But he tells CNN's State of the Union that such action now "seems inexorable."
"In my personal thinking," Hayden said, "I have begun to consider that that may not be the worst of all possible outcomes."
Hayden said that the likelihood of a U.S. strike on Iran has rises in face of Tehran's defiance to halt its contentions nuclear program, saying "We engage. They continue to move forward."
"We vote for sanctions. They continue to move forward. We try to deter, to dissuade. They continue to move forward," he added.
The former CIA chief predicted Iran, in defiance of the international community, planned to "get itself to that step right below a nuclear weapon, that permanent breakout stage, so the needle isn’t quite in the red for the international community."
Hayden said that reaching even that level would be "as destabilizing to the region as actually having a weapon."
The United States, the United Nations and the European Union have imposed new restrictions on Iran over its nuclear enrichment activities, which the West fears could lead it to make a bomb.
The fourth round of U.N. sanctions calls for measures against new Iranian banks abroad if a link to the nuclear or missile programs is suspected and for vigilance on transactions with any Iranian bank, including the central bank.
On Saturday, several key Iranian officials estimated that the United States and Israel would not dare attempt a military strike of Iran's nuclear sites, adding that they were confident that Iranian forces would easily repel such an attempt.
The United States, which has ships in the Persian Gulf, has not ruled out a military strike to thwart what it suspects is an Iranian nuclear weapons program. Iran denies its atomic program is aimed at making weapons.
Iran's ISNA news agency quoted an aide to the country' Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday as saying that Israel and the United States would never strike Iran, saying that "both the U.S. and Zionist regime face internal problems and they know that we make many troubles for them if they attack Iranian territory."
Yahya Rahim Safav told ISNA that Iran's armed forces were "fully prepared and enemies are aware of that, they do not have the power to take a political decision on the issue, because they know they can start the war but are not able to finish it."
"Wwe need to be fully vigilant of these attacks, the enemy knows that it will regret if launches a land strike against Iran." Safavi said.
Iran's official IRNA news agency quoted the commander of the Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad-Ali Ja'fari as saying that the United States would not dare to attack Iran as it is fully aware of Iran’s defense power and its nation’s determination.
Ja'fari also said, according to the IRNA report, that he considered his forces' preparedness as being at their "highest level," adding that recent sanctions imposed on Iran in view of its contentious nuclear program would have no impact on Iran's potency.
Also Saturday, a former naval chief in Iran's Revolutionary Guard said his country has set aside 100 military vessels to confront each U.S. warship that poses a threat.
General Morteza Saffari is quoted by the conservative weekly Panjereh Saturday as saying that troops aboard U.S. warships "are morsels for Iran to target in the event of any American threat against Iran."
In 2008, Iran put its most powerful military force, the Revolutionary Guard, in charge of defending the country's territorial waters in the Persian Gulf, a vital oil route.
Speaking with the semi-official Fars news agency, Iran's Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that the increased U.S. pressure on Iran were prompted by Washington's desire to advance its "propaganda campaign "and gain control of the region.
Fars quotes Vahidi as saying that a military strike on Iran was unlikely, adding that Israel too was "uttering such remarks in a bid to reduce the growing international pressures through psychological warfare," Vahidi told Fars.
"We, too, advise them not to seek trouble and tension in the region through spoiling the atmosphere," Vahidi said.
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The Latani for Israel. Let the Americans do Iran.
How does one achieve an economical melt-down to ensure a oneworld currency
I agree Iran cannot have nukes and the little dictator over there is nuts. But I also see now that man is a cancer on this planet and cannot seem to function as a group in peace and harmony. We cannot wait to pull the trigger with all our shiny highly advanced weaponry. And it is not just us it is everyone. This is not an old western. We are destroying ourselves and our planet. We live in the world of insanity now. War is not a tv show baby people die and lots of them.
Ali Bhutto, who detonated Pakistan's first atomic bomb, said during its development that "Pakistan would eat grass if it has to" to develop the Bomb. You can be sure this is Iran's attitude too--third world countries look at the Bomb as the holy grail to their admission into the ranks of the first world, notwithstanding that their countries may otherwise be impoverished and their people uneducated. On their scale of values, all that doesn't matter a whit if they have the Bomb--it's all about their self-respect and all other dysfunctional aspects of their mentality. In any event, yes, Iran will go the whole way to just before the Bomb, then wait for things to calm down, and one sunny day will detonate an atomic bomb. Fait accompli. This isn't very hard to predict. It's in "the world's" court right now whether to let that happen, and judging by history, the outlook is pretty grim.
Third world countries with nukes. Impoverished, violent, uneducated beggar nations. Salaam/Shalom
According to the CIA, Iraq had secret weapons too. If US is so sure about Iran it should not lose so much time with unfruitful sanctions on Iran.
credit must be given to the obama administration for trying diplomacy. this policy of engagement followed years of diplomacy by the eu and the us under bush. it has been obvious to many that iran had made the strategic decision to develop nuclear weapons. neither diplomacy, nor an outstretched hand, nor sanctions, have had any effect on the regime in teheran. as all fanatical totalitarian regimes, iran follows its own drummer. for quite some time, the only question has been whether a nuclear iran is an acceptable option. given the history of the islamic republic of iran, its history of exporting terror to far away lands, its willingness to wage war by proxy against the united states and its allies, given iran's most recent threat against russia, given the enormous danger of proliferation from a nuclear armed iran, given the ever increasing hegemonistic ambitions of iran, spreading all the way to venezuela and other parts of south america, given the existentila threat to the state of israel, the subjugation of lebanon, the threat to free maritime passage at the center where east meets west, where africa, the near and far east meet, the conclusion is that a strike on iran now "seems inexorable" and necessary.
was started by the Americans. They built the Tehran nuclear reactor which originally used 90% enriched uranium. The Shah had plans to build an additional 20 civilian nuclear reactors with 4 to be built at Bushehr. The 1 reactor currently undergoing testing is the continuation of that program. The need back then was the same as today. Progress and energy security.
The answer to that question is the answer to what must be done to prevent Iran from becoming a Nuke Nation. Appeasement has never worked but only emboldened the aggressor nation, that's what history has taught us. It is a lesson the world should not forget. At this point in time Iran poses little threart to the world now is the time to act, their bellicose statements indicate their fear and they are attempting to use it as a delaying tactic.
Please explain how an Islamic educated president, full of ultra-left anti-Western ideology, with a danger of recession, and committed to a dead line for getting out, will attack Iran now? I think the strategy of setting a dead line to get out, and make it public, is terrible for U.S. troops. Because all the population knows that Taliban will follow, so they are already cooperating with Taliban, in order to get a better deal afterward. To see the problems this makes, Taliban caught a U.S. soldier according to FOX. I pray for him and his family.
Isn't two enough?
Guess US administration and people are wise enough not to repeat the mistake of Iraq and Afghanistan where I don't see a victory for the US soon. US failed in Vietnam (was a big mistake) and Somalia (bigger mistake). !
michael hayden is an american. he does not work for foreign countries.
Who ever you are Moses, you're an idiot for making such a statement. Are you so comfortable in your little corner that you don't want it disturbed and now blame Israel for having dragged the US on two previous wars. You would sound less of an idiot if you at least could tell us which were the two wars Israel dragged the US into?
Obamas election came about largely on his" end the war" campaign. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq would be small potatoes compared to a war with Iran. Can there be anything more foolish than starting a war with a nation on the verge of attaining nuclear weapons? In the end, America cannot and will not be able to stop progress in parts of the world while aiding progress in other parts. America should be building bridges to Iran instead of doing Israels bidding. We have had enough American sacrifice for the sake of building Israeli settlements. If American politicians under Israeli control want to launch a personal attack against Iran, dirty dozen style, I am happy to see it. If they want to donate their fortunes to buy weapons for Israel, I support their right to do so. Just leave the rest of us Americans out of their plans.
leaders have to do what is necessary for the national security of their country. rest assured that obama will never go to war against iran unless he absolutely was persuaded that he had no other choice.
Nattallie don't give in to them. I know the chances of Obama actually standing up to them are slim. We need a line in the sand issue. Settlements, or the discordant dialog in which Netanyahu and his buddies pressure our congress ,eventually will win out. Liberals actually are wimpier than Conservatives.
It will send 100 vessels to attack each US ship. Google irans order of battle for Navy . It does not have anywhere near that many ships and over 40% are non serviceable alhtough could be made useful if an emergency arose. US navy would take tehm out long before they got to be a threat. iran blusters to save face its called fashla.
there will only be tears. As a small dog barks fiercely, the fools running Iran believe they can threaten the world until they actually harm it. The dog WILL be killed, and it/s owner forced to pay dearly in restitution. Perhaps total destruction , Why? Iran is no Iraq, nor is it Afghanistan. It is threatening nuclear war. The world will remove it's kid gloves for the common cause of stopping it forever.
So long there are american soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan , no american with a functioning brain encourage a war against the islamic rep. of iran. The whole world will be against any strike by he NATO & USA +Israel because every one knows their double standard positions. Israel possesses more than 300 atomic device but they will never dare to use them against their enemies, simply because this means its complete destruction.
I think your a little confused because if Israel used it's nuclear weapons on Iran there will be no more Iran but Israel will survive. That said i would always keep nuclear as a very last option. On the tiny chance there is war it will be with conventional not nuclear anyway.
But the question is that all nations according to NPT have this right. The other point is that by this attack, US, Iran and Israel are going together to hell, not Iran alone!
Iran should use the threat of publising the blueprints of nuclear weapons on to the internet to stop them
So now it seems to be that the USA is determined to strike Iran because Iran is NOT going to build their A-bomb, ... but just nearly kind of very VERY close, near the point of having one but not really, YET; at this time but later ! Maybe. Wow ! Who the copulation is this ex-whatever and who is he working for now ?? We need people like him, like we need ants in our pants. He's like a pyromaniac who wants to join the fire department, ... a burning torch carrying little Hitler-jugend intent on setting the whole Middle East ablaze (inexorably jawohl !). This guy has worked for George W. Bush, ... now would you want THAT on your pretty resume ?! The main factor that is destabilizing 'The Region', is the presence of the USA. Go bomb criminally controlled Las Vegas ! Put that on top of your pathetic little pink list. You want to attack another Muslim country AGAIN ? > smart move. How many new terrorists will YOU create that way. Peace has never been a 'hot item' with the CIA, mostly doing their dirty tricks for 'Big Industry'. Go Home mister ... and 'Leave The Muslims Be' !! (Maybe Homeland Security and NSA can keep 'tabs' on this errand boy for the warmongers)
because the resulting conflagration and rise in Oil prices would cause the world's economy to collapse completely. Which in turn will cause massive civil unrest throughout the world. When I asked Mum why she thinks this, she told me that the quickest and easiest way of getting iran to ditch it's nuclear weapons technology would be to ban the export of iran's oil. Until this step happens and is given time to work, my Mum says the international community will not be able to justify the meltdown of the economy. And unlike in Iran Politicians value their jobs to much to attack Iran.
The Israelis and Saudis don't want Iran to go Nuke, there will be a Shia weapon that will be in range of Saudi govt and Iraq will become a vassal state of Iran. Then the Iranians will claim Mecca as a part of Iran.
When the order was given to attack iran there was a typo and the US attacked Iraq instead. Where of course there were no WMD's as the CIA suggested when he was the director.
"Then the Iranians will claim Mecca as a part of Iran." Iranians arent Israelis man.
1. Which country is the real threat in the region? 2. Which country has nuclear weapons in the region? 3. Which country has killed thousands of civilians in the region? 4. Which country is occupying land in the region? 5. Which country practices apartheid in the region? 6. Which country has not abided by any UN resolution in the region? 7. Which country demolishes the occupied people's houses in the region? 8. Which country has invaded neighbouring countries in the region? 9. Which country is starving millions in a small in a small strip of land in the region? 10. Which country has built the highest wall in the occupied land in the region? One can go on and on. If you guessed which country it is than its not rocket science. Than tell that to Michael Hayden.
"no matter what the U.S. does diplomatically" - they've only tried ONE tactic: threats and bullying. Iran is becoming a nuclear capable state and the world will have to live with it: the US will mount the same military operation they mounted against North Korea. There is a rational alternative - global nuclear disarmament, including Israel and the US. But an indefinite nuclear monopoly of these powers is totally unrealistic.
If there was at one time a 1% chance of a strike and now there's a 2% chance of a strike the likelihood of a strike has increased by 100%. These people like to play with numbers.
iran could not even beat a much smaller iraq..israel or the usa would hammer them.
Iran turned to nuclear deterrence when it did not get the guarantee that it would not be attacked in the same way Iraq had been attacked by the US. A nuclear-free weapons zone must be established immediately to prevent all the countries in the region, Israel included, to have nuclear weapons since a general conventional war is incomparably less dangerous and detrimental than the smallest incident in any nuclear facility, the effects of which would cross all borders in a wink. Remember the Chernobyl disaster: its fallout sank as far as to the bottom of the Sea of Galilee. Stop this madness before it is too late. Do not let the US guard its interests in the region at our expenses.
Come now Diana. You are being laughed at by every Iranian on earth. They will sign anything for more time to figure out how to blow you to smithereens. You are sooo wrong. Let the mullahs get these weapons and you will regret it forever. Madness, Yes
Ha! How many pieces of paper did Germany sign and they still started WW1 and WW2? How naive can you get?
The Us would be long out iof Iraq if it were not for teh trouble being caused by Iran. Iran sponsors terror groups even in teh USA. Iran needs a lesson in some alley fighting . Uncle sam can give that lesson and iran can learn. Of course Iran does not seem to want to learn right now which is why teh military option is on teh table. As long as Ahmedinanutjob is in power iran will burn
This is very worrisome, because a US strike on Iran would definatly mean WWIII. First All US ships and interests will be immediately attacked. Simultaneiously Iran will launch their missile at Israeli cities totally obliterating everything. Therfore Israel will probably still exist but with almost their entire populous and infrastructure would have been destroyed. Then you whave the additional headache of dealing with Hezbollah, Hamas and Syria. I think turkey will mostly ide with Iran so will all the south American countries and almost all asian countries. All of whom will have to side with Iran because of the crisis they will face at home because I can imagine the entire muslim world turning on anyone who supports the US. So please stop this maddness becasue you are on your kness in afghanistan and iraq which are two third world countries. Iran however is very capable and this will only lead to the destruction of the US and Israel.
This is pure speculation and a pipe dream. What will happen is that the US will bomb, iranian regime will cry like bitches to the international community and nothing more. The last thing the moolahs want is for bombs to fall on tehran.
iran has insufficient misiles to launch at ISrael. Second. What makes you think Israel will not do teh unthinkable if it perceived a threat og anihilation and use its nukes on Iran. Iran talks a good line, but when teh rubber meets teh road it is hard for Iran to defend against standoff weapons fired from 100 miles away that target command control ciommunications. Iran will of course activate its proxies including hamas, Hizbullah , Turkey and Sytria. Turkish military wont let erdogan get into that war. Syruia will take a hammering , Hizbullah will launch some missiles but will also take a pasting. Irans navy will be scuittled, its submarines destroyed. Surender will be an option or overthrow the current regime
I am speechless and quite amazed that haaretz let you post that. Maybe they wanted to show people how zeel-ots keep at it with the trash talk. You sound just like the Mullahs! But besides, could you tell me exactly how do you expect the US to do so well against Iran when they had so much trouble with Iraq? A country that had no modern army to speak of? I'd be worried if I was in the American army!
One has to look at the difference in the current US approach to global issues, with comparison to the previous administration. Despite its continuance as the supreme "super power", the US nowadays is more inclined to acquire international support in international affairs. This also, crucially, means shared responsibility. Given that all necessary means might have to be used to prevent Iran from acquiring suspected nuclear weapons, and considering the hardheaded approach by the Iranians, the likelihood of a physical attack on the country may be somewhat high. But, unlike recent times, it is also likely that any reaction from the Iranians will be faced with a "united" approach. This undoubtedly is the result of a more efficient foreign policy by the US.
He has proven himself to be a politician more interested in getting re elected than doing whats right. Everything Iran is doing it is doing under international monitors. There has been no evidence of diversion of nuclear materials and one has to wonder why there has been no new intelligence estimates updates. Its because they dont tell the lies neo cons want like pre Iraq. The US has enough problems without another war for Israel. If Israel wants to attack Iran they should...but leave the US out of it
The fact that prominent American apologists for Israel were the most energetic promoters of the U.S. invasion of Iraq does not, of course, prove that Israel was the instigator of that grievous misadventure. But the very same people are now urging an American military assault on Iran explicitly to protect Israel and to preserve its nuclear monopoly in the Middle East. Their advocacy is fully coordinated with the Government of Israel. No one in the region wants a nuclear-armed Iran, but Israel is the only country pressing Americans to go to war over this. From Chas Freeman a security insider
The sword of Saddam Huessian. Same words almost to the letter.And ya Mullahs where is 'Saddam ya Saddam' ? The same fate awaits Ahmadienjad & his henchmen,the silent thieves & robbers of their once proud country. Now they are busy dragging their country to the sewers of history,never to rise up again.. Fin. Sof. End. !
The Bush Doctrine should be thrown in Michelle Bachmann's receptical along with the rest of the discredited Neocon world domination strategies. The average Iranian just wants to have a job and make sure their kids have a chance like all the rest of us. Support the resistance with open and acknowledged actions.
I agree peaceful options are preferable, but if nothing else works this regime needs to be halted by force. It is sad, but this is the world you and I and all of us are living in.
Ahasverus Hamas is for real a Jihadist organization. If 2 million people who want to destroy Israel show the everyday struggles, we are sympathetic. I see how they are so opposed to Israel's existance that there can be no accepetance of Israel without a simultaneous rejection of Prophet Mohammed. War must be fought. Islam has no written instructions to the faithful except to kill. Christians denounce the old testament. Muslims must denounce Mohammed.
However given Hizbollah has Scads, US should give Israel time to install anti-missile systems.
translation: A liar by profession.
Will the world community support such action by US. And world has not learn enough from Iraq and Afghanistan venture. Blair and all past suporter of US venture have lost their political power then who will be with US on the new crime.
Tell me mpatel, where will you assign blame when the Iranian mullahs commit their most heinous crime? The utter destruction of their peoples country? They have nothing to compare to US, Israeli arsenals where it concerns REAL nuclear weapons. Goodbye Iran.
"Michael Hayden, a CIA chief under President George W. Bush, who many say was controlled by AIPAC and the Evangelists on such issues,..." Fella you are not worth the the efforts made to print this absurdity of a news story.
And the Iranian regime is perpetually mouthing off about how "arrogant" everybody else is.
Guns talk bulshit walk ...
if you shoot you shoot to kill otherwise it's complete b.s
Against Iran,US only have cheaper talk.I want to say,hot air from the US against Islamic nuclear Iran.
Someone has to stop this megalomaniacs in Iran!
Iran is a nuclear power,and cannot be stopped by any nuclear power too.The US will have to survive with a nuclear Iran.
If this is true, Iran is by its intentions a very dangerous country. All the more reason for hitting them swift, hard and decisively. In this world there shall be no acceptance of pariah regimes like the Ahmadinejad gang.
Washington's Saudi Masters demand, "strike our regional rival *now* or we will attack you worse than we did on 9/11!" of course, you'll never hear it put that way / 'specially since a Saudi prince owns 7 percent of FoxNews.
i feel its no longer the question if.. just when & how
It is very funny to see know Bush agents speaking about an hipotetical attack on Iran,now they are on the opposition side.....Very funny,indeed.
It is really funny,it takes already 6 years of hot air from Israel and the US, and more to come,i recommend to you to wait in a confortable chair.