[Schnucki]

I realize that we didn't do anything when Iran raided our embassy long ago, but isn't this considered an act of war?

[Magnum44]

Some might say yes, but so is using embassies as staging for attacks on the host nation.

We would not have done this if we did not have convincing evidence that something was going on that was not on the level at these consulates. But dont expect to see the evidence soon. I am certain it was obtained by covert means.

[silverleaf]

Seriously, do you think Iran is not at war with us?

If the govt of IRAQ withdrew accreditation from this "consulate" (if that is, indeed, formally, what it was) then it is fair game and must have been a hi value target given the rapid raid.

The rules of diplomacy cut both ways and restrict diplomats from using their facilities and diplomatic cover to be used to conduct military operations against the host country.

[nuconvert]

Shipping IED's into Iraq and supplying alSadr with money and weapons are acts of war.
I'm hoping all the information we're gathering will be used to present to Congress, the American people and the world to build our case for directly taking on Iran. Iraq will never be the success we hope to see, while the current regimes of Syria and Iran exist.

[Grut]

IIRC, consulates aren't sovereign territory like embassies are.

[WBL 1952]

It would be if you believed the BBC report that this was an official consulate office as opposed to superfluous building that the Iranians work out of with the insurgents.

Get a clue.

The Iranians stormed our official Iranian Embassy and took hostages they held for months.

All official embassy employees HAVE to have proper identification; even your loving Iranians.

[Colorado Doug]

isn't this considered an act of war?

I certainly hope so.

[terrytyson2007]

I would say it is, judging that embassies are considered foreign soil.

If you ask me, this might make sense on an operations level--investigating whether documents reveal any concrete evidence of Iranian involvement with the ongoing hostilities in Iraq--but on a PR level it is terrible. We announce we're sending in more troops, essentially rattle the saber at Iran and Syria, and then commit an act of war.

We can sit around all day and say they've had this coming to them, but knowing Iran, they'll play this up as much as they can, and frankly, as dirty as their hands are, we're the ones who have rushed to action here.

[TET1968]

"isn't this considered an act of war?"

The Iranian takeover and kidnapping precedent says "No".

[Grampa Dave]

The Clintoon made embassies fair game during his bombing and killing of Serbian Christians. The ChiCom Embassy got bombed and hit.

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3815476c05e1.htm

US Media Ignores Reports Showing US Deliberately Bombed Chinese Embassy

Foreign Affairs Front Page News
Source: The Reagan Information Interchange
Published: 25 Oct 1999 Author: Yoichi Shimatsu, Pacific News Service
Posted on 10/25/1999 23:17:16 PDT by Yosemitest