"Sacred Defense Week" commemorates Iran's commitment to deter aggressors and remain free.
Western and Israeli long knives remain threatening. Tensions are especially high. Netanyahu's bluster aside, longstanding Washington plans call for regime change.
Iran's peaceful nuclear program is red herring cover used as pretext. If not that, something else would substitute. Excuses are easy to fabricate. Western media scoundrels regurgitate them ad nauseam.
Fear is generated. Other false charges follow. America is hell bent for war. It has a willing partner in Israel provided Washington plays the lead role.
Potentially catastrophic consequences are ignored. Apparently, so is opposition expressed by current and past high-ranking military and government officials in both countries. Updated war plans are ready to be implemented unless cooler heads go all out to prevent it.
Iran is falsely called an existential threat. Netanyahu and Israeli hardliners claim it constantly. Washington does it on and off. It's wearing thin but take it seriously. One day crying wolf won't be bluster or bluffing.
On September 20, Haaretz reported the latest outburst. It headlined "US warns Iran: Time is running out on diplomacy over nuclear program."
This time UN envoy Susan Rice issued the warning. She gives diplomacy a bad name. She's one of America's worst ever ambassadors. Her style is belligerent, arrogant, and offensive.
Addressing the Security Council, she said:
"We believe there is still time and space for diplomacy," but not much.
"(T)he onus is on Iran to respond constructively." She added that Washington seeks a "clear, united resolution" regarding Tehran's nuclear enrichment program.
Her comments were a clear warning. At the same time, she and other US officials know Iran's nuclear program is peaceful. So do others in Israel, European nations and elsewhere.
Nonetheless, warnings persist. This one comes as Washington, Britain, France, Saudi Arabia, and other US allies stage large-scale Gulf naval drills. Doing so is provocative. It heightens tensions. Make no mistake. Provocation is Washington policy.
This one is codenamed IMCMEX-12. It involves minesweeping and other measures to keep the Strait of Hormuz open if Iran blocks it defensively. It warned about doing it if attacked.
In September, Tehran plans its own drills. It knows the risks and stands ready to confront them.
So do Israelis wanting no part of war. A mid-August Haaretz article headlined "We'll all pay on doomsday," saying:
