Panetta: U.S. will not allow Iran to develop nuclear bomb, block Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Defense Secretary says Iran laying groundwork for making nuclear weapons, but is not yet building bomb; army chief Dempsey says U.S. would take military action to reopen waterway if Iran closes it.
By The Associated PressDefense Secretary Leon Panetta said Sunday that the U.S. would act if Iran were to develop a nuclear weapon or close the Strait of Hormuz.
Panetta, speaking to CBS' Face the Nation, said that if Iran started developing a weapon, the U.S. would act. "I think they need to know that — that if they take that step — that they're going to get stopped."
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U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey, appearing with the defense secretary, said that he wanted the Iranians to believe that a U.S. military strike could wipe out their nuclear program.
"I absolutely want them to believe that's the case," he said.
Panetta did not rule out launching a pre-emptive strike.
"But the responsible thing to do right now is to keep putting diplomatic and economic pressure on them to force them to do the right thing," he said. "And to make sure that they do not make the decision to proceed with the development of a nuclear weapon."
Dempsey also said that Iran has the military power to block the Strait of Hormuz "for a period of time" if it decides to do so, but that the U.S. would take action to reopen waterway. "We can defeat that," he said.
Panetta said closing the strait would draw a U.S. military response. "We made very clear that the United States will not tolerate the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz," he said. "That's another red line for us and ... we will respond to them."
A number of experts say Iran is unlikely to close the strait, through which Gulf oil flows, because the action could hurt Iran as much as the West.
But an Iranian newspaper, the Khorasan daily, on Sunday quoted a senior commander of the powerful Revolutionary Guard force as saying Tehran's leadership has decided to order the closure of the strategic oil route if the country's petroleum exports are blocked.
Iranian politicians have issued similar threats in the past, but this is the strongest statement yet by a top commander in the security establishment.
In a talk at a Brookings Institution forum in December, Panetta said an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities would "at best" delay Iran's nuclear program by one or two years. Among the unintended consequences, he said, would be an increase in international support for Iran and the likelihood of Iranian retaliation against U.S. forces and bases in the Mideast.
Panetta also said Sunday that Iran is laying the groundwork for making nuclear weapons someday, but is not yet building a bomb.
As he has previously, Panetta cautioned against a unilateral strike by Israel against Iran's nuclear facilities, saying the action could trigger Iranian retaliation against U.S. forces in the region.
"We have common cause here" with Israel, he said. "And the better approach is for us to work together."
Panetta's remarks on Face the Nation, which were taped Friday and aired Sunday, reflect the long-held view of the Obama administration that Iran is not yet committed to building a nuclear arsenal, only to creating the industrial and scientific capacity to allow one if its leaders to decide to take that final step.
The comments suggest the White House's assessment of Iran's nuclear strategy has not changed in recent months, despite warnings from advocates of military action that time is running out to prevent Tehran from becoming a nuclear-armed state.
Iran says its nuclear program is only for energy and medical research, and refuses to halt uranium enrichment
Iran has opened two dozen of its facilities to international inspectors, but has refused in defiance of the UN Security Council to suspend its uranium enrichment.
A leading hardline Iranian newspaper reported Sunday that Iran has begun uranium enrichment at a new underground site well protected from possible airstrikes.
Kayhan daily, which is close to Iran's ruling clerics, said scientists have begun injecting uranium gas into sophisticated centrifuges at the Fordo facility near the holy city of Qom.
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If Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz that would certainly trigger war between the US and Iran - something Israel desperately wants. Iran would then be playing right into Israeli hands. Think again Ahmedinejad.
promises were even cheaper. The change Obama promised was ideological bull crap ! He and his bull are on their way out in a landslide defeat just as old Jimmy Carter . Just remember, money talks and bull walks. The money talking is the trillions he has thrown away. It is speaking against him in the harshest of terms.
This means that Iran will have no need to stop oil shipping through Hormuz. The US will not push the rat into a corner, because then it will have to fight back. Of course, the West cannot tolerate stoppage of oil exports through the Gulf, so it will have to react by landing troops in Iran. This is a prescription for another land war in the style of Dumbya Bush. We better not have that.
Until the US actually starts dropping bombs on Iran then sanctions or no sanctions As long as Iran doesn't lead the US to believe they might try and blockade the Straits o Hormuz to any shipping ( US carriers included ) then there is no way with just 9 months to an election Obama is going to risk starting another Middle East war, Iran isn't Libya. All Obama cares about is the oil and if Iran gets nukes because he is doing nothing then it will either be for the next president to deal with or if he wins for him to deal with once the political pressure is off but there is no way he is going to take any risks this close to an election.
Now it's too late ... Because the U.S. and Israel have left to get to this grave reality? Only an unprecedented attack, with a barrage of missiles never ever seen, the use of missiles and strategic bombers by the thousands, using mostly the B-53 nuclear bomb, the mother of all bombs to destroy the nuclear facilities, and thousands of bombing stealth to destroy the whole structure of Iran's armed forces, troops, their equipment, weapons, ships and nuclear power plants, especially! If you leave Iran with a chance to respond, they will do worse with Israel and U.S. troops. No time to lose ...
More bluster from Washington..All this just so Obama can win elections..Very expensive, if you ask me..
How exactly is he going to stop them? US leaders truly believe they rule the world..
just how do you plan on stopping them? You guys in Washington things you have some God given right to tell other nations what they can and cannot do; we the US taxpayers did not appoint you to go out there and start trouble with other nations in the world, in fact, it is just the opposite, we are tired of these f***ing wars.
Then a few days of strategic bombing, and voila: no more Mad Mullahs. You terror supporters are funny.
so far to legitimize a war? The rethoric of Ahmadinejad is hostile but who honestly thinks, that Iran would attack Israel? That's just rethoric. There is no real threat outgoing from Iran. The german writer Goethe once said that he has the impression, that most bad things in this world do not result from bad will but from misunderstandings: The communication between Iran and the west is deeply disturbed and that's it.
What has Iran done? Threatening to destroy Israel is enough evidence to strike NOW
Think again!
Ahmadnjed has no need for nuclear weapon, just the Bible Codes which fortunately backfires when used in the correct sequence. -2012th i-Man
If Iran doesn't develop a nuclear weapon nothing will happen to them. If Iran doesn't block the strait of Hormuz nothing will happen to them. Iran always said and it's a "fatwa" , it doesn't want nuclear weapon. What for ? A few bombs against hundreds in Israel and thousands in the US. Plus second strike capability ! They will block the strait only if there is a total embargo on their oil. That won't be accepted by Russia nor China. So relax, nothing will happen ......except may be a totally foolish strike from Israel.
is that the price of oil goes up. speculators have already cashed in, lol.
We are definitely living in the worst times of our humanity despite "civilization". The US, driven by the mumblings of Israeli leaders, wants to take another military action and cause despair for millions of Iranians. Let them develop nuclear weapons. Iranian leaders are absolutely fanatics but why would anyone start a war because of this. If world nations are not satisfied with that then why is it than the US, Israel, Germany, Pakistan, etc... own these weapons? It is disgusting to read these things between now and then. Our times may be civilized but we are no longer humans.
why then do you threat them with war, sanctions, embargo stupid!?
was he pressured by the lobby to take another standpoint?
Panetta is asleep on the bus .
whats wrong with US and Israel that seeks war everhwhere just to shift attention away from their misrable middle east politics?!
Hate to say it, but the U.S. is now in the processing of scaling back her military forces. So, I wouldn't hold my breath on whether the U.S. allows, or disallows anything!
then go ahead iran , block the strait and develop nuclear and .............make our day !!! u will be reduced to ashes
should seriously consider if defending the israeli landtheft etc is a righteous cause or if one should be the first with an important concession to show some humanitarian understanding and good will.
Can you please explian how Israel stole land from a people that do not exist?
America's recent adventures, including its posturing toward Iran, are about to be turned against Israel in a big way in the United States. It will be the biggest event in Israeli security since the state was formed.
clearly this is a double standard.... Who has used nuclear bombs on a civilian population? Iran doesn't even have a device.. It's obvious that people ignore the fundamentals of this situation.... That the us and israel want to dominate all aspects of the middle east...
Iran is the only country to threaten other countries, unprovoked. They have a lunatic running the operation and large ego, that is why they can not have Nukes
he, netanyahu has no desire to have peace with Palestinians, he is increasingly making a two state solution impossible, which will 'eventually' result in an Israel which either practices apartheid, or where power may have to be shared with Palestinians.
Does Israel have nuclear weapons ? Sorry that's why you killed JFK right ? Or did you ? Maybe you did , maybe you didn't , Israel full of intrigue and lies....you killed everything good on this earth !! hahaha.....who's next ? Ron Paul ? The Pope ? Or even God himself ? you could not could you ? hahaha....
What makes you think the fallout will be only on Iran? Israel is not that faraway.
This war is simply fought by the US for Israel...no person in his right mind believes Iran can do military damage to the US....all this warfare and destruction is for Israel and Israel only.
however, if the US attacks Iran it will be for its own and west European economic survival. With Iran in possession of a Nuke it will control the oil which keeps the western world alive, if Iran manages to block this oil and if it possess a nuke the west will have to think twice on whether the economy should suffer or the world destroyed. If you consider for a heartbeat that Iran will not use the nuke, READ THE SHIA KORAN and then consider the options
And I am glad that the USA is protecting me from Iran
they will fold like a house of cards they are, and the great iranian people will finally get to live as a free, prosperous nation
Didn't the IAEA sources report that they already are? Make up your minds already. No wonder nobody believe you.
This was also the case leading up to the Iraq war. We all know that American politicians are very respnsive to Israel's demands, but we don't know why. Is it worth a few trillion dollars, a few thousand American deaths, and hundreds of thousands of dead Iranians to put smiles on the faces of Israelis? It is not possible to keep Israelis happy for long. They work too hard at making enemies. There is always the next "worst enemy" of Israel that America must deal with.
I am the Boss, I am the Boss. Ahme-djinn-he-bad is getting all this attention with his new peace-tour, so you got to say something, yes ?
the US will go bankrupt if they start a new conflict on this scale...so the US is all bluff
The author forgot yo mention what the Shiite Majority will do in Iraq. Iraq will surley align itself with Iran. All that was gained and the trillions spent will be lost. Any remaining International forces will put in more harms way. Shock and awe that the powers will be for TV. The real game will be tankers sinking and US ships sunk with antiship missiles. Refineries hit and oil production shut down. The US economy will be the real loser in this game. But its for Israel so the US will do it.
Israelis would play down the rolr of settlement expansion. They are the only nation in the world building large communities outside their internationally recognized borders and yet they play it off as trivial. What is America's position on Israeli settlement expansion. Obama called for a suspension of settlement expansion and the Israeli leader told him of and shut him up. After this America defended Israeli settlement expansion at the UN. America's position on this issue is unclear and calls out for clarification. Iran has been Israel's most vocal opponent. Is this why American politicians are preparing to go to war with Iran? Is the American government not allowed to broach the topic of settlement expansion?
Hey guys, just read Ezequiel 38, this will be the Gog and Magog battle. Same battle which appear in Revelation.
To be brutally honest, whose going to stop a Nuclear Israel? The way the radical right government "reacts", I`m more afraid of an Israel than an Iran with nukes.
The overall cost of Israël support and of their complacency towards its disrespect of human rights and international law has been very high. If they let Iran drive them in answering provocation this cost will become unmanageable and unbearable. At a certain point escalation may become out of control as it has been many times in history.
They have shown over and over with threats. That they are not mature enough for nuke capability. The rest of the world wouldnt like a terrorist regime armed with nukes. If iran grets nukes the whole ME will be in danger. Also dont bother to start with the usual lies like: "Israel has nukes so should iran also" People who say these things forget that Israel has an elected government in open elections. iran on the other hand is runned by crazy mullahs supporting terrorism.
As does the US' imperial project and Israel's land-grab.
July 1987: The US Congress suspends aid to Pakistan due to arguments related to the arrest of a Pakistani agent attempting to buy material for its nuclear weapons program. Congress suspects that Pakistan has a nuclear weapons program, but the administration denies this, as do the Pakistanis, even though they are both well aware that the program is a reality. The suspension is symbolic, as it only lasts six weeks and does not affect aid that has already been agreed upon, but not yet provided. January 1988: Reagan invokes, then waives amendment cutting off aid for Pakistan because of Its nuclear weapons program. Obama, Lee: "We Won't Allow North Korea To Have Nuclear Weapons" (06/16/09)
Somehow I just don't trust him.
Iran said it will block the Hormuz IF attacked, so just don’t attack, which we know you have no stomach for. Secondly, what is a bomb. What about a bomb with no uranium in it, is that a bomb? Or better still, a big crate with uranium in it, which can be detonated under laboratory conditions but cannot be fed into a gun, aimed, and fired – is that a bomb?
Iran said it would close the Hormuz if it's oil was sanctioned.
How long has America been in Afghanistan? Ten years? How many have died? How much money has been trown at this war? In spite of America's best efforts, they are far from victory and, in fact, are openly considering cooperation with the Taliban. There is a very long way between making a bunch of irresponsible statements as Panetta has done and achieving victory. America is raising taxes and cutting benefits in order to use their armed forces to defend Israel's settlement expansion. Obama knows this very well and this is why his handlers have surrogates addressing the issue. Generally speaking Americans may oppose an iranian bomb, but are they will ing to pay the cost of attempting to derail that program? Panetta and the other surrogates never talk about cost. Israel would actually profit from a war between America and iran because America woulf throw a lot of extra money at Israel during such a war and yet Israel would not openly participate in the actual war. Israelis must certainly drool over the idea of America attacking Iran and paying Israel to do nothing.
From all appearances, Iran is a rational state, acting responsibly. As Mossad chief Prado said, Iranian nukes do not pose an existential threat to Israel, and therefore to the West in general. Therefore, the US believes it should not go to war to stop Iran's nuclearization. Since it is desirable to not increase the number of states having nukes, the US will continue to help by "threats." But Israel should know that there will be no actual US action. And if Israel acts alone against Iran, the US will not intervene on her behalf. It will be a private Israeli affair. If Israel chooses to reveal this to the world, too bad, because then Iran will probably nuclearize quickly. Israel is now developing a "second strike" capability (via submarines), and this is sufficient to protect her against any contemplated surprise attack.
So whose threatening whom now?
but the requires thinking on the matter. Do you want to blow up more Jewish centers?
Deceive yourself not, and watch my lips. The superpower IRAN must have nukes Panetta. We are the strongest in the world and can not be bullied by the US anymore
The US President recently warm-heartedly offered Iran a full lifting of the crippling sanctions it has had to endure for decades for its evil ways on the one condition that they stop enrichment of their uranium which can only be for military purposes, but they cold-heartedly refused. Iran preferred to ride and beat their captive citizens like beasts of burden instead as they stole from them to keep the Regime's agenda and its addiction to power and prestige ongoing.
and I applaud your humor.
for what reason does Iran need nukes,It better to feed your poor and develope cures for sickness.Contribute something to the world
but I watch commercials on American TV bedding for people to send care packages to the poor elderly in Israel. I guess the Israelis spent to much on their nuclear ambitions.