For months, Iran faced baseless
accusations. They include:
the spurious US Saudi ambassador assassination plot;
charges about developing nuclear weapons;
being the "world's leading state sponsor of terror," according to AIPAC;
targeting Israeli officials in India, Georgia, and Thailand; and
planning Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak's assassination, according
to The Israel Project citing Kuwait's Al Jarida newspaper.
All of the above don't pass the smell test. Charges are baseless on
their face. Yet major media scoundrels headline them for days. In the
process, they heighten tensions for belligerent intervention.
Moreover, they ignore past US/Israeli terrorist attacks blamed on Arabs,
and both countries' notorious histories of targeted assassinations and
other destabilization schemes.
Former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski believes Iran may
be blamed for a false flag on US soil to justify war. Former Marine
Corps Intelligence/CIA case officer Robert David Steele expressed the
same view. So do others to give America and Israel the war they want,
no matter the potential catastrophic consequences.
Since the 1980s, Washington planned regime change. Israel offers ready
support. As a result, war on Iran's been ongoing by other means.
They include computer viruses and other cyber attacks, other sabotage,
multiple rounds of sanctions, attempts to cripple its central bank and
oil exports, targeted assassinations, deadly explosions, sophisticated
satellite, drone, and other type spying, bogus accusations, imposing
a virtual blockade to isolate Tehran, and ongoing saber rattling stopping
just short of bombs away.
When Washington's planned regime change train leaves the station, it
doesn't stop until mission accomplished by whatever means necessary.
Against Syria and especially Iran, it literally risks WW III as Russia
and China may intervene to protect their own vital interests.
Provocative Major Media Reports
Inflammatory reports continue. On February 15, The New York Times headlined,
"Israeli Envoy Links Bangkok Bombs to Attacks in India and Georgia,"
saying:
Iranians were detained after "an explosion tore the roof off their rented
house...." Despite no credible evidence, they're suspected of targeting
Israeli diplomats. According to Thai police chief General Prewpan Dhamapong:
"This much I can tell you - the target of the operation was specifically
the Israeli diplomatic staff."
Again, accusations without credible evidence are baseless. With nothing
to gain and everything to lose, Iran painstakingly avoids provocations.
In contrast, Israel benefits greatly. Moreover, the India/Georgia/Thailand
attacks bear classic Mossad fingerprints. Yet no Western reports suggest
it.
Instead, fingers point spuriously one way. In Thailand, police discovered
explosive devices in the suspect's rented house. They were similar to
those used in India, Georgia, and Mossad attacks on Iranian nuclear
scientists.
Israel's Thai ambassador Itzhak Shoham called them "connected." Why
not as evidence suggests Mossad responsibility, not Iran.
Tehran officials called accusations baseless. Foreign Ministry spokesman
Ramin Mehmanparast said "We categorically reject the accusations made
by the Zionist regime. They are part of a propaganda war. Iran condemns
all acts of terrorism."
He added that Israel blames Iran for its state terrorist acts to incite
anti-Iranian sentiment. Multiple Thailand incidents occurred the day
after failed bomb attacks targeted Israeli embassy staff in India and
Georgia.
Following the Bangkok incidents, Thailand's tourism ministry announced
suspension of visas to Iranian citizens. Last year, 148,235 were issued.
On February 16, The Times headlined, "Inquiry Widens on Suspected Iranian
Plot on Israel," saying:
Indian and Thai "criminal inquiri(es)" continue. Iran and Hezbollah
emphatically denied involvement. In a televised address, Secretary-General
Hassan Nasrallah said:
"Regarding the explosions that took place in India, Georgia and Thailand,
I can tell you categorically that Hezbollah had nothing to do with them."
Iran was just as emphatic denying what's clearly baseless and part of
longstanding Washington/Israeli efforts to isolate and punish Tehran
for their own imperial gain.
Yet The Times said unnamed "Middle East experts" suspect "Iran and Hezbollah
have denied involvement partly to distance themselves from the suspects
who botched the plot, which had the appearance of sloppy amateurishness."
More likely, Mossad orchestrated them that way to assure Israelis weren't
killed. When attacking Iranians, Palestinians, and other Muslims, targets
nearly always die. Rarely do professional assassins miss.
Failing back to back in three countries raises obvious red flags. Israel
perfected the art of killing. It's also skilled at manufacturing incidents
avoiding them. Blaming Iran and Hezbollah for classic Israeli state
terror is spurious. Yet screaming headlines highlight baseless accusations.
Notably Iran has close relations with India and Thailand. They're valued
trading partners. New Delhi said Iranian oil purchases will continue.
Moreover, a large trade delegation's coming to Tehran. Obviously the
Islamic Republic has everything to lose and nothing to gain by launching
terror attacks on Indian and Thai targets. It ludicrous to say so or
against Georgia. Blame Mossad with everything to gain, not Iran.
London Guardian writer Arshin Adib-Moghaddam also called Iran "an unlikely
culprit," saying:
If Iran wants to retaliate for Mossad's assassinating five nuclear scientists,
"it has other means at its disposal. It is hard to imagine that (Tehran)
would send Iranian operatives to friendly countries, completely equipped
with Iranian money and passports - making the case against them as obvious
as possible."
Israel and Washington both admit Iran's Revolutionary Guards are highly
trained professionals. Why "would they launch such a clumsy and self-defeating
operation?"
And why against three friendly countries at a time Washington/Israeli
pressure targets the world community to isolate Iran.
Yet Israeli officials blamed Tehran. Netanyahu spuriously accused Iran
of being "the biggest exporter or terror in the world." In fact, the
Washington/Israeli/UK axis holds that distinction unchallenged.
Nonetheless, Netanyahu added that Israel "will continue, with local
security, to act against the international terror which Iran produces."
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman made similar comments. So did other
Israeli officials, pointing fingers away from themselves with major
media support.
On February 19, Haaretz headlined, "US official: Signs pointing to increasing
likelihood of Israel strike on Iran," saying:
As US National Security Adviser Tom Donilon arrived in Israel for talks
on Iran's nuclear policy, "a senior US official" told Haaretz, "on condition
of anonymity," that signs point to a likely Israeli strike. "We think
that Israel still has not decided whether to attack or not," he said,
"but it is clear to us that it is being considered seriously."
Washington wants more time to let sanctions bite harder. Netanyahu wants
additional ones. According to a senior aide, "Any measure that doesn't
stop Iran's nuclear program is inadequate."
In fact, claiming it's a red herring. Washington and Israel know it's
non-military. America wants a pro-Western regime replacing Iran's independent
one. Israel wants unchallenged regional dominance.
Both countries threaten war to achieve what world leaders should denounce.
Instead, most go along subserviently, no matter the grave risks. As
a result, humanity hangs in the balance.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge
discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News
Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time
and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy
listening.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/ |