Posted on 09/03/2012 9:35:10 AM PDT by Ranald S. MacKenzie
Washington reportedly sends Tehran indirect message saying it will not back Israeli strike on nuclear facilities as long as Iran refrains from attacking American facilities in Persian Gulf
The United States has indirectly informed Iran, via two European nations, that it would not back an Israeli strike against the country's nuclear facilities, as long as Tehran refrains from attacking American interests in the Persian Gulf, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday.
According to the report, Washington used covert back-channels in Europe to clarify that the US does not intend to back Israel in a strike that may spark a regional conflict.
In return, Washington reportedly expects Iran to steer clear of strategic American assets in the Persian Gulf, such as military bases and aircraft carriers.
Israeli officials reported an unprecedented low in the two nations' defense ties, which stems from the Obama administration's desire to warn Israel against mounting an uncoordinated attack on Iran.
The New York Times reported Monday that US President Barack Obama is promoting a series of steps meant to curb an Israeli offensive against Iran, while forcing the Islamic Republic to take the nuclear negotiations more seriously.
One of the steps considered is "an official declaration by Obama about what might bring about American military action, as well as covert activities that have been previously considered and rejected," the report said.
Several of Obama's top advisors believe that Jerusalem is seeking an unequivocal American statement regarding a US strike on Iran – should it actively pursue a nuclear bomb.
Israel hopes such a statement is made during Obama's address before the UN General Assembly on September 25.
Others in the White House said Israel is trying to drag the US into an unnecessary conflict in the Gulf.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said Monday that "There is absolutely no daylight between the United States and Israel when it comes to preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon."
Carney said that all options remain on the table for Iran. He said the "window for diplomacy remains open," adding that the diplomatic process remains the best way to deal with the Islamic Republic, though "that window will not remain open indefinitely."
Cyber war a go?
According to the New York Times, Washington has also sent Iran a back-channel deal suggesting they curb their nuclear ambitions, but Tehran rejected the deal, saying no agreement is possible sans lifting all West-imposed sanctions.
According to the report, the Obama administration is exploring the possibility of mounting a covert operation, as well as waging a "quiet" cyber war against Iran.
President Obama had previously rejected the notion, fearing such cyber assaults would wreak havoc on Iranian civilian life.
Later in September, the United States and more than 25 other nations will hold the largest-ever minesweeping exercise in the Persian Gulf, in what military officials say is a demonstration of unity and a defensive step to prevent Iran from attempting to block oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
In fact, the United States and Iran have each announced what amounted to dueling defensive exercises to be conducted this fall, each intended to dissuade the other from attack.
Suppose Israel attacks before the election. The US doesn’t support them.
Does that October surprise help Zero or Romney?
Leading from behind. The ‘Coward in Chief’ strikes again.
Lets be clear here.
Obama- not America- will not back Israel.
The American people and the American military would.
Or else, what?
Hurts.
All the people who would be gratified by a hands off policy towards Iran will vote for Obama anyway. If it looks like Obama is winning, Israel will attack to try to influence the election. If Obama is losing, they will wait for Romney. With U.S. assistance dismantling Iran’s nuclear weapons will be orders of magnitude easier.
We are not going to get involved in nation building or try to make friends in Iran. We will grind their economic and military assets into dust and let them pick up the pieces, unlike in Iraq and Afghanistan. Big mistake in the former two countries.
One of the steps considered is “an official declaration by Obama about what might bring about American military action, as well as covert activities that have been previously considered and rejected,” the report said.............................. Uhhhh? Covert? like letting them know in advance? Lets face it folks, the area is too important to mess up. We must consider the $$$$$ factor here. Most nations are at the point of bankruptcy, can we afford any involvement? We’re between a rock and a hard place here. Here is where Leadership is really needed. Obama, you better go to the opinion polls or maybe ask your wife what to do. (Like Clinton would, according to Hillary. Oh wait she works for you now?) LOL, the Mullahs must be laughing their butts off.
Subtext: “Pretty please do not retaliate against US forces in the Gulf area WHEN Israel attacks you, Iran. We won't be coming in after them with follow-up strikes against you, so can you please direct all of your retaliatory missile strikes on Tel Aviv? Thank you very much!”
Certainly doesn't help him maintain 80% of the Jewish vote.
the empty chair leading from behind
we no longer need to search for proof he is an African-Hebrew-American! Look, not only is this the correct thing to do but it is... 
in my opinion as Attorney General that it is the legal thing to do--
And when Obama has flexibility after the election... 
I'll get my one million dollars--
I cannot recall when the cockles of my heart... 
were ever this warm.
You know, watching the Democrat Convention 
makes me warm--
But it ain't... 
the cockles of my heart!
Eye God, Bender... 
them traitorous sons-a-bitches are serious!
Yeah, they are, Gus... 
they surely are--
Yes, even I, Shirley... 
agrees here--
The incentive for Iran to refrain from attacking our interests should be fear of OUR retaliation, not allowing Israel to do what they need to do.
Waiting until after the election does them no good. If Obama wins, they are cooked and should have gone in beforehand. If Romney wins, Obama will still be in power until January, perhaps too long to wait.
If Israel wages a "soft", "targeted" war using cyber weapons, non nuclear EMPs, commando raids, and cruise missle attacks they might be able to get away with it. Obama will be in trouble with the Jewish vote. If it goes badly for Israel and Obama does nothing, I don't believe that America wants to see Israel destroyed.
It’s terrifying to know they were stupid enough to elect him the first time.
If a person has a IQ above room temperature, it would be impossible for them to back this guy.
Dear Leader, how has that been working for the USA? Iran is a state that is sponsoring terrorism around the world. There are embassy bombings, there are attacks on troops that Iranian operatives have been organizing and leading for over a decade. Many of the IED’s killing our soldiers in the Middle East are from Iran.
In short we are at war with Iran and have been for a long time. It is not a publicly declared war, but it still is war. They are not going to stop attacking our interests in the Middle East, Africa, South/Central America. So our backing or not backing Israel will have nothing to do with preventing future attacks.
Dear Leader, you are either very dumb, or you think that the public is so stupid they will accept what you say as truth. How sad.
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