U.S. Iran Tensions Rise as Second American Aircraft Carrier Heads to Persian Gulf

[seemslikeadream]

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0701/S00092.htm

Wednesday, 10 January 2007, 10:33 pm


U.S. Iran Tensions Rise as Second American Aircraft Carrier Heads to Persian Gulf
Interview with Trita Parsi, president of the Iranian-American Council, conducted by Scott Harris


After months of tense negotiations, the United Nations' Security Council voted unanimously Dec. 23rd to impose limited economic sanctions against Iran for that nation's refusal to halt its uranium enrichment operation. The council voted to block all countries from selling technology and equipment that could assist Iran in developing its nuclear research and missile capabilities. In addition, the U.N. froze the assets of 10 Iranian corporations and 12 individuals linked to its nuclear and missile programs. Iranian officials responded defiantly, vowing to continue their enrichment of uranium and warning of future changes in their relationship with the U.N. nuclear monitoring agency.

With the Bush administration's decision to dispatch a second aircraft carrier group to the waters off the Iranian coast and the recent arrest by U.S. soldiers of four Iranian diplomats inside Iraq, tension between the U.S. and Iran appeared to be on the rise as the new year began. At the same time that Bush rejected the Iraq Study group's recommendation for opening talks with Iran over the situation in Iraq, the rushed execution of Saddam Hussein threatened to escalate violence between the majority Shiite and minority Sunni population.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian-American Council, who looks at the increasing tension between the U.S. and Iran in the context of the continuing American occupation of Iraq.


TRITA PARSI: I think the sanctions resolution that was passed in the Security Council is not going to be that important in terms of the actual pain it can impose on Iran. Rather, the importance of the sanctions are two-fold. On the one hand, the international community has, through the Security Council, basically blessed the idea of sanctioning Iran under Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter. That's important for the United States, (which) wants to take much firmer action against Iran. That in turn, has given an air of legitimacy to the real sanctions that the United States is imposing currently on Iran through its financial sector. The U.S. is putting a tremendous amount of pressure on Iran and on foreign banks not to deal with Iran. And those sanctions, I think, are going to have far more of a financial cost to Iran than the sanctions passed by the Security Council.

[seemslikeadream]

1. You don't deploy Patriot missiles against rebels: is it Iran?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/1/10/212932/237

You don't deploy Patriot missiles against rebels: is it Iran?
by pa2006voter
Wed Jan 10, 2007 at 06:46:04 PM PST
Perhaps 500,00 or more American servicemen and woman have been deployed to Iraq over the past 4 years. Thousands of tanks, hmmvws and trucks have been sent there too. They have fought tens of thousands of firefights, been hit with thousands of IEDs and RPG rockets. So let me ask this simple question....In four years of combat against insurgents how many Patriot Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Missile Missiles have American Forces used. I would guess...ZERO...I think that is a great question for Tony Snow...

But tonight President Bush announces we are sending Patriot Missile batteries to the Middle East..

Quoting the speech (provided by Paige) "We are also taking other steps to bolster the security of Iraq and protect American interests in the Middle East. I recently ordered the deployment of an additional carrier strike group to the region. We will expand intelligence sharing - and deploy Patriot air defense systems to reassure our friends and allies."

You don't use a 17 foot long surface launched missile with large radars and other trucks that tracks incoming aircraft, helicopters and long range missiles in an urban street battles. You would use it to defend against incoming Iranian aircraft and Scud missiles.

[Possumpoint]

2. I Think

the Patriot missiles batteries are for use in defending the Saudi Arabia fields and processing plants from attack if things go to h*ll in a hand basket.