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White House Puts Iran On Notice |
By
Stephen Lendman |
| On Wednesday, Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Flynn irresponsibly
lashed out against Iran’s recent legitimate ballistic missile tests. Without justification, he claimed they “undermine security, prosperity and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East that puts American lives at risk.” He cited Security Council Resolution 2231, making the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA nuclear deal) binding international law. It called on Iran “not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.” Fact: Iran’s missile technology, development and testing are entirely legitimate, violating no Security Council resolution or other international law. Fact: It’s ballistic and other missiles aren’t designed to carry nuclear warheads. Fact: Iran threatens no other nations - not America, Israel or any others. Claims otherwise are Big Lies. Its government promotes regional and world peace, abhors nuclear weapons, urging their abolition. Fact: America, NATO, Israel and their rogue partners alone threaten world peace, stability and security. It’s unknown whether Trump intends continuing the imperial madness of his predecessors. He indicated not. Judge him by his actions, not his rhetoric. Failing to stop the positioning of thousands of heavily armed US-led NATO forces on Russia’s borders, a hostile act, isn’t encouraging. Nor was a commando raid on Libya massacring civilians or Secretary of State Rex Tillerson indicating he intends pursuing regime change in Venezuela, seeking what he called a “transition to democratic rule…” - something America badly needs, not Venezuela with the hemisphere’s most vibrant democracy. Months before becoming Trump’s chief White House strategist, Steve Bannon said “(w)e’re going to war in the South China Sea in five to 10 years. There’s no doubt about that.” He called Beijing and Islam America’s two greatest threats. It’s unknown if his views are unchanged, given his high administration post. Trump’s UN envoy Nikki Haley indicated dirty business as usual with Ukraine’s putschist regime will continue, discussed in a previous article. The country shares a near-1,500 mile land and sea border with Russia. Rick Rozoff earlier explained Ukraine is “the decisive linchpin in plans by the US and its NATO allies to effect a military cordon sanitaire, severing Russia from Europe. If Trump intends pursuing this plan, rapprochement with Moscow is impossible, unlikely with Michael Flynn irresponsibly bashing Iran. Russia, China and Iran are allies. Hostility toward one affects relations with the others. Tehran’s ballistic missile program is solely for defense, not offense, given hostility towards its government by Washington, Israel, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. Arms control experts agree. It’s entirely legitimate, violating no international laws or agreements. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov concurred, saying its missile testing doesn’t breach SC Res. 2231. Flynn lied claiming “Iran is now feeling emboldened. The Obama Administration failed to respond adequately to Tehran’s malign actions - including weapons transfers, support for terrorism, and other violations of international norms.” It’s unclear what steps the Trump administration intends taking. It appears recklessly embarking on confrontational relations with Iran, instead of respecting its sovereignty and normalizing things once and for all after seeking regime change for 37 hostile years, in part to please Israel. A Final Comment On Wednesday, a statement by 220 Iranian lawmakers pledged “full-fledged support” for the nation’s military, saying “the reinforcement of the defense capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran in line with deterrence strategy” is vital to ensure the country’s security. On Tuesday, Washington called an emergency Security Council session on Iran, a hostile act, at its conclusion, US UN envoy Nikki Haley sounded like Samantha Power, ranting: “I will tell the people across the world that is something you should be alarmed about. The United States is not naive. We are not going to stand by. You will see us call them out as we said we would, and you are also going to see us act accordingly.” Not an encouraging sign. It remains to be seen what action Trump intends taking. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. |
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