Posted on 09/23/2004 2:51:20 AM PDT by Khashayar
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 22 (AFP) - The United States has no plans to attack Iran to thwart what it claims is the Islamic republic's pursuit of nuclear weapons, but has not formally ruled out any options to deal with the matter, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday.
Instead, Powell told reporters that Washington and its allies were concentrating on a diplomatic and political route to force Iran to come clean about and abandon the alleged program within the auspices of the UN system.
"I'm not aware of any plans to attack Iran," he told reporters on the sidelines of the annual session of the UN General Assembly. "Every nation has all options available to it.
"I think we're working in the world of diplomacy and politics," Powell said, adding that he had found in conversations with foreign officials a consensus that Iran had to meet demands from the UN nuclear watchdog by November or face possible sanctions from the UN Security Council.
"If it doesn't do that by the time of the November IAEA meeting, I think there will be every reason at that point to send the matter on to the Security Council," he said.
"We're talking about diplomacy and political efforts to stop this movement on the part of the Iranians toward a nuclear weapon," Powell said. "We're not talking about strikes. But every option always, of course, remains on the table."
On Saturday, the International Atomic Energy Agency gave Iran until November 25 to clear up suspicions over the program. In the meantime, the agency has called for Iran to immediately halt its controversial uranium enrichment-related activities.
Iran's leadership has refused to back away from efforts to master the entire nuclear fuel cycle, and has argued that the latest IAEA demands are "illegal".
On Wednesday, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said Iran would not give up its plans to enrich uranium.
I wonder if the Sunnis will fund and spearhead a guerilla campaign to keep Iran mired in chaos after the regime change in Iran, just like Iran is doing to Iraq?
I doubt it but in case of an attack on Iran, you will see CIVIL WAR in Iran for sure. Lots of bloodshed and things like this.
I am sure that is correct, but I hope that if we did plan to attack Iran, we would not announce it in advance as we did with Iraq.
Opponents of Bush would like you to believe this IS the plan.
That's right Colin - we have no plans to ATTACK Iran. Maybe some plans to conduct military operations in support of our national interest within the geographic area of Iran - but ATTACK plans - nope, don't have any of those!!
I take this with a grain of salt. Iran is a charter member of the axis of evil.
Like we would tell them!
"Oh Mullahs! Yoohooo! You guys int he big turbans over there! We are going to be bringing several armored divisions over for a visit! Mind if we park a few of our cruise missles in your Nuclear facility?"
Good Cop, Bad Cop, with the Israeli Air Force as Bad Cop.
Me thinks it depends on the meaning of "plans" is......
"U.S. Has No Plans To Attack Iran: Powell"
U.S. Has No Plans To Attack Iran YET
Don't we have plans to attack just about everybody? Heck, I hope Iran's on that list. A nuclear Iran isn't just the Israelis' problem.
I was thinking the same thing. However, I am sure that we do. Powell used the wrong word, but meant the same thing.
We'd better hurry up or they'll get wise.
Oh Yeah?
(#12)
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