Posted on 05/27/2007 4:08:13 AM PDT by familyop
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran dismissed on Sunday U.S. naval war games on its doorstep as a morale-boosting exercise for American soldiers, days after a large flotilla of U.S. ships entered the Gulf in a show of military muscle.
"This coming and going (of U.S. military ships in the Gulf) is nothing new," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini told reporters at a weekly briefing. "It seems these movements are for lifting the spirits of the American soldiers."
Tension between Tehran and Washington has been mounting in recent months over Iran's disputed nuclear plans and the conflict in Iraq, helping to send world crude prices higher over fears of possible supply disruption from the oil-rich region.
Two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers were among the group of U.S. ships which began war games in the Gulf last Thursday.
The ships, carrying about 17,000 personnel and 140 aircraft, will take part in war drills over the next two weeks, the U.S military says.
Iran frequently holds its own war games in the Gulf, earlier this year test-firing missiles which a commander said could sink big warships.
U.S. and Iranian ambassadors are due to meet on Monday in Baghdad to discuss security in Iraq, a rare encounter for the two foes which have not had diplomatic ties since after Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution that overthrew the U.S.-backed Shah.
The United States accuses Iran of fomenting instability in Iraq by supporting Shi'ite militia there. Tehran denies the charge and blames the presence of U.S. troops for the bloodshed across the border.
Iran also denies western accusations that it is seeking nuclear bombs, saying its nuclear programme is designed purely to generate electricity.
“With Iraq they at least pretended to have the UN sanctions for the attack. They made a case in the UN and the press. Iran has none of the set up.”
Nor does it need it. Have you seen the polling on striking Iran?
“Iran will be the next administrations problem. W can just wait it out and let Hillary deal with it.”
Don’t quit your day job to start reading crystal balls. The Hill-Bill-ies have seen the last of the White House. Her negatives are insurmountable.
“He can with a straight face say that the experts said 5 more years for Iran to have the bomb. We were sure Saddam had WMD’s.”
The experts are saying 2-3 years right now - that is without adding more centrifuges, which Ahmadmanijad is actively doing. Further, Iran is actively interfering in Iraq, and we have proof. Trust me, no one except the usual anti-Americans around the globe are going to actually have an issue with us smacking Iran down. Most sane folk can now clearly see it needs to be done.
“I do not understand all the hysteria about oil company profits. On a % basis they are right in the hunt with most mainstream businesses. Do you think that they should make 6% instead of 12%? Since I own oil stocks I would be very happy to have $100 oil.”
You get a clean miss on my point. Do the US oil companies do anything differently to drill or process $100/barrel oil than they do $60/barrel oil? No. Market uncertainty and problems (like bombs falling on Iran) drive the price up. The extra $40 is pure profit, baby.
I’m just surprised that the Administration’s critics aren’t crying about him manipulating oil prices to help his buddies.
Right now Hillary is the next president, In a month or six months that could be different. She will be put over the top be sympathetic women who want her ONLY because of her plumbing.
There are still some experts who say Iran is 5 or more years away from having a working device. Depends on how much help they get from Lil'Kim and the French.
As far as oil you miss the point, MOST oil comes from somebody who has to be PAID by the oil companies. Saudi oil costs them market price. The oil from my two wells has a sliding commission structure as do many others. The Government leases are for the most part fixed cost. The only oil they pump for market price is the small % they actually own.
Still no way W attacks Iran while Congress is in recess. They would impeach him for that. Not sure what charge they would dig up but Reid and Pelosi would be pissed.
“I have seen polling from around the world and Europe. There is very little support for a US attack on Iran in Europe and Asia.”
Who gives a rat’s a$$ about “the world and Europe”? Are you under the mistaken impression that Bush does?
“Right now Hillary is the next president, In a month or six months that could be different. She will be put over the top be sympathetic women who want her ONLY because of her plumbing.”
I have no idea where you get that idea. She’s behind (or tied with) Obama in the polls, and eiter loses to the top Republicans now. That’s without Fred in the race.
“There are still some experts who say Iran is 5 or more years away from having a working device. Depends on how much help they get from Lil’Kim and the French.”
There are ignorant experts in every field, but I think you’re quoting data from before the 3,000 centrifuge cascade becoming operational.
“As far as oil you miss the point, MOST oil comes from somebody who has to be PAID by the oil companies. Saudi oil costs them market price. The oil from my two wells has a sliding commission structure as do many others. The Government leases are for the most part fixed cost. The only oil they pump for market price is the small % they actually own.”
Right, like the oil from the Gulf of Mexico. Not much oil there, eh?
“Still no way W attacks Iran while Congress is in recess. They would impeach him for that. Not sure what charge they would dig up but Reid and Pelosi would be pissed.”
Doesn’t matter if he does it in recess or out, it’s still legal. Reid and Pelosi will be pissed regardless - like anyone cares. The only thing with a lower approval rating than Bush is the Dem congress. (BTW Bush’s approval numbers will go up, not down, if he attacks Iran.)
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