U.S. places Iran nuclear issue on pressure track
Top U.S. general David Petraeus says Iran has been given every opportunity to resolve the issue diplomatically.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Iran nuclearThe United States is placing its efforts to thwart the Iranian nuclear program on a "pressure track," head of U.S. Central Command general David Petraeus said in an interview to a U.S. network on Sunday.
Speaking to NBC's "Meet the Press," Petraeus said that he thought "that no one at the end of this time can say that the United States and the rest of the world have not given Iran every opportunity to resolve the issues diplomatically."
"That puts us in a solid foundation now to go on what is termed the pressure track," the U.S. general said, adding that "that's the course on which we are embarked now."
The United States is leading a push for a fourth round of United Nations Security Council sanctions against Iran because of suspicions it is secretly developing a nuclear arsenal.
Washington has been supported from fellow Security Council members Britain and France, while Russia, which has been more reluctant to impose more sanctions, has said it was now "very alarmed" by a recent IAEA report which said Iran may be working to develop a nuclear-armed missile.
Iran denies it is trying to develop a nuclear weapon and says the accusations of Western countries are baseless.
Asked on how close Iran was to reaching nuclear capabilities, Petraeus said that "it is certainly a ways off, and we'll probably hear more on that from the International Atomic Energy Agency when it meets here in the, in the next week or so."
"There's no question that some of those activities have advanced during that time. There's also a new National Intelligence Estimate being developed by our intelligence community in the United States. We have over the course of the last year, of course, pursued the engagement track."
"The UN Security Council countries, of course, expressing their concern. Russia now even piling on with that," Petraeus said.
"We will have to see where that goes and whether that can, indeed, send the kind of signal to Iran about the very serious concerns that the countries in the region and, indeed, the entire world have about Iran's activities in the nuclear program and in its continued arming, funding, training, equipping and directing of proxy extremist elements that still carry out attacks," the U.S. general added.
When asked whether a single country, even if that country is the United States, stop Iran's nuclear ambitions, Petraeus said that the U.S. would "have to embark on the pressure track next," adding it was the job of combatant commanders to consider the what-ifs, to be prepared for contingency plans."
"I'm not saying this in a provocative way. I'm merely saying that we have responsibilities, the American people and our commander-in-chief and so forth expect us to think those through and to be prepared for the what-ifs. And we try not to be irresponsible in that regard," the central command chief said.
On Saturday French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said world powers would have to take new action against Iran in the next few weeks if Tehran continues to reject Western proposals on its disputed nuclear program.
Fillon said he was worried by a new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) this week which said
"We have read the new report (on Iran) by the IAEA...and it is very worrying," Fillon told a news conference in Damascus alongside his Syrian counterpart Naji al-Otari.
"We proposed dialogue to Iran for several months and for the moment all the propositions have been turned down," he said. "If the situation does not change, we have no other solution but to look into new measures in the coming weeks."
China has so far resisted imposing more sanctions.
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if iran is not a threat to world peace, then why do you want sanctions on iran? the truth of the matter is that iran is a threat to world peace. sanctions will not work. obama needs to wake up to the reality that his so-called engagement policy has been an utter failure. he has encouraged all of the extremists in the muslim world. he has lost fully one year while iran has been pursuing its nuclear weapons program. time is running out.
china future, your a real american there huh? lol...I like the way you have really adopted american values and the notion of tolerance and peace...well done! lol... so, let me get this straight. Israel will no longer exists, and the US, EU,UK will lose all power...and where exactly is it going? china? not so quickly...russia? not gonna happen...muslims? lol...certainly a quantum realignment will take place, but in the forseeable future, the US is strong..the question is; will obama rise to the occasion or will he placate iran and put us ALL on the road to regional and possibly global war. bottom line, iran needs to be dealt with.
apparatus of occupation and oppression, wow they are really powerful words.Michael as most of the so calles ""scholars"in England "aka" oil men, you are an ignorant chap,. Israel is not invading any known country, Israel is not oppresing any citizens of a ""recognized"" country, if anybody could raise a protest that is Jordan,they were there as an oppressor in the occupatiobn of such nice people since 1947, I do not recall any chap to protest, besides England was the occupier and opressor since 1918 until 1947,whay did not your brothers declare Palestine a country?.hey you had lawrence the pretty boy in saudi arabia how come nobody went to jordan. you all Britts make me laugh, no dignity,just imagine dody fayad was going to be a pirnce in England what more can you expect from such a decadent society
It hapens that Michael as well as many other Britts, feel that by bashing Israel all the problems in ther world will be solved,History is very clear when it states the brutal ways of England in all the countries they were the colonial power, such as India.
Lets face it, The US is powerless and should just shut up and quit trying to harass Iran. - IF there are more sanctions (not very likely) they will not effect Iran one bit since China and most of the world will just ignore the sanctions. - IF the US/Israel attack Iran, then Israel will cease to exist (causing most of the world to give a cry of joy) and the US will be severely weakened and unable to sustain its people. The US/Israel have nothing to "pressure" Iran with and no support from most of the world (the US, Israel,UK and EU are a small portion of the people on earth and the power they had in the past is now transferring to other parts of the world).
Try www.english.aljazeera.net/focus/arabunity/2008/03/2008525184024810153.html If that dosen't work simply google countdown to arab defeat. You guys realy should read a book other than Alan Dershowitz, Why don't you try Benny Moris. PS IT IS ILLEAGAL UNDER THE 4th GENEVA CONVENTION TO MOVE CIVILLIANS INTO TERRITORY YOU TAKE BY MILITARY CONQUEST. Henry the 8th moved Protistans into northern Ireland HOWD THAT WORK OUT?
"Sometimes, one feels that the US is actually provoking a clash. The Gulf of Tonkin, does come to mind." - Stephen With Benjamin Netanyahu playing the part of Lyndon Johnson. "Could this be the answer. War,.. in order to free mankind from the shackles of oppression.?" - Stephen What? "I wonder. Forget about history, think of today where there is a clear and present danger of nuclear warfare." - Stephen History is a record of how and why people act Stephen. I never forget history. There is no clear and present danger of nuclear warfare. Why doesn't Israel simply nuke Iran? "Good night." - Stephen Good night Stephen.
"Actually he said nothing new. The same old "mantra", options on the table, sanctions and a host of diplomatic claptrap that we`ve heard from GWB, Cheney and now Mr.Obama." - Stephen True. "Meanwhile, the regime will acquire a nuclear device and hold all and sundry hostage." - Stephen False. Why has Israel simply not nuked Iran? Because one problem of nuclear weapons is that they force you to act more responsibly. The world is far more tolerant of a fool without a bomb than one with it. "Not unlike the DPRK and their Dear Leader." - Stephen Has DPRK nuked south Korea? Nope, possessing nukes has simply eliminated the option of attacking the DPRK. "Israel, the only gutsy country on this planet will in the end do what it takes, for its very survival is at stake." - Stephen Israel might do something crazy, but it's survival is not at stake.
Next thing we will hear is the yanks are fast tracking the Goldstone report and The EU is fast tracking sanctions against the jew State. What a crazy world we live in.
The US will never do anything to stop or even slow Iran down. That's a given. Why are we pretending?
Anti-Semites just don't get it. The Jewish People have come home to THEIR HOMELAND. What you call occupied territory is what Jews have called Home since God Almighty promised it to them. The hills of Judaea are as Jewish as the lake district of England, or as Italian the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria. The Jews aren't going anywhere, they're home..
What happens if Iran load the radiactive material, (specially the 20%, in the space reserved for a bomb) of the rockets and send them to the U.S. bases, Israel, Europe??? What is best to die: by a strong bomb wave or a slow radiactive decay in your body???
You are not even good enough to write the 10 commandments. God wrote them.
Should be thinking about saving their own skin. and they probably are, and rightfully so. Islamic extremist have attacked many countries not just Israel. like Russia, France to name a few.
but Michael is right. Chicken and egg an' all that but if ISrael wasn't so slap dash and trigger happy, oh and have nukes then I honeslty don't think we would be in this situation. I mean, why would Iran want to attack Israel when there is such a large distance between them. If Iran wanted supremacy in the region then it would be attacking its neighbours first before even eying up Israel. again, chicken and egg/....
We have all read countless admonitions from "Liberals" who beg that sanctions not occur since it will only "destroy" the possibility of Iran's opposition protest movement to gain traction. This is a very lame argument, but there may be many dreamers who believe that the Total Security of the West is less important that keeping a segment of Iran's potential liberalizers from being even more persecuted as the West tries to deal with the nuclear issue. Iran will probably UP their attacks on the protest movement considerably to get the West to back off of sanctions, with the same Liberal moaners claiming that sanctions will "just hurt the ordinary Iranian citizens." Too bad--only a naval blockade has ANY possibility of being effective anyway.
Still have not got it eh Mike. Why did ISrael olccupy the West bank Mikeee? tell us why. Did they wake up one morening, or did the arfabs trying to throw them into the sea cause it. All land occupation can be traced back to Arab states warring on Israel. Cause and effect. Dont ask ISrael why it is doing 100 miles per hour. Ask ISrael what caused it to press down on the gas pedal . VCause and efefct. When Arabs stopo shooting, Israel will too. Until then, let them pound sand
Its a tough world Mike.... its even more tough when you are stupid. You write stupid as well. Go ahead do nothing wait for ISrael to finish a peace agreement with the palis. By then Iran will have thgeir nukes and will have launched them at the Eu and USA. Kind of sucks being you doesnt it Mikeeeee
The UK and U. S. and others are threatened by Iran's nuclear bomb development. What does that have to do with the west bank? Remove your head from between your legs and try to think straight.
Actually he said nothing new. The same old "mantra", options on the table, sanctions and a host of diplomatic claptrap that we've heard from GWB,Cheney and now Mr.Obama. Whistling in the dark, they are. Meanwhile, the regime will acquire a nuclear device and hold all and sundry hostage. Not unlike the DPRK and their Dear Leader. Israel, the only gutsy country on this planet will in the end do what it takes, for its very survival is at stake. Unless Beijing intervenes, which is now highly unlikely since the Taiwan / Dalai Lama hiccup. Sometimes, one feels that the US is actually provoking a clash. The Gulf of Tonkin, does come to mind. Yet the greatest nation on earth preaches democracy and freedom above all.? Could this be the answer. War,.. in order to free mankind from the shackles of oppression.? I wonder. Forget about history, think of today where there is a clear and present danger of nuclear warfare. Good night.
once again, try to keep the topic of conversation on the article. Secondly, until there are links to support everything you say, everything you do say is simply your word against someone elses. Give evidence or stop yapping.
thepeoplesvoice.org 21 February 2010 "U.S. - Iranian Power Struggle over Iraq" by Nicola Nassa Iraq political elections 7 March 2010. A secure, stable and democratic Iraq will first have to wait until the end of the raging power struggle over Iraq between the United States and Iran inside and outside the Arab country. http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2010/02/21/u-s-iran-power-struggle-over-iraq#more10096
Name one country in the world that recognises Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. There isn't one. Even israel's high court recignises its a beliggerent occupation and even Israel has NOT tried to annexe any of it except E. Jerusalem. The occupation is illegal because Israel has comprehensively breached the Geneva Convetion obligations of an occupier by imprting settlers, exiling inhabitants, maltreating the indigenous population etc. etc.
There is far too much flapping of noise holes going on and too little action. It is beginning to look like the sanctions agreement that existed two months ago has collapsed.
distroy Iran now, not tomorrow NOW.
It's amazing Michael. Yourself and others are absolutely brilliant at diverting the topic at hand. Perhaps you should actually start talking about the article rather than taking a single topic and then using to to talk about Israel. And just to further the point, i've yet to see yourself or others who bash Israel hold an intelligent conversation. If you claim that there is illegal occupation, present footnotes and actual resources to back up your claims. Otherwise, your just an armchair politician running your mouth.
C'mon Guys, you gotta admit it, Tele stinks, eveyone is depressed, the gap between rich and poor is the distance between two Galaxies,Sore backs, sore heads, fed up working, children are insane, nobody would stop if you had a sword through your neck, Multiculturalism is a great word but has no meaning, everyone hates everyone, soon there will be no pension, no AIR, no reason. At least a Nuclear War could get the Adrenaline going before another Island is dessimated by Global Warming. It's easy now that Islam has been identified as the New threat to the World.A Nuclear War will distract us long enough for the Powers that be, to find a way to escape Planet Earth, with their Credt Cards of course.
Until the world bans nukes, countries will continue to acquire them. If Israel has nukes, then so will its rivals eventually. Necessity is the mother of invention. Read your history.
before the fit hits the shan.
Why should the US, UK and Europe run round doing what Israel wants, until Israel gets out of the West Bank? There is no way that any measures should be taken against Iran until Israel starts dismantling the apparatus of occupation and oppression. No pressure on Iran until there's pressure on Israel.
Who's next ? Syria ,Lebanon ? Come get it !Keep up your barking and you will be next :(