Rice warns Iran against aggression after US arrests Iranian consular staff

Breitbart.com ^ | 1/11/07

[waimea.man]

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Iran that the United States won't "stand idly by" if Tehran tries to disrupt Washington's renewed effort to stabilize Iraq.

Speaking hours after US troops raided Iran's consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Arbil and arrested five employees, Rice said Washington was determined to crack down on Iran's "regional aggression".

Rice declined to comment specifically on the operation in Arbil, which came shortly after President George W. Bush announced a new US strategy to end the violence in Iraq that included stepped up moves to counter Iranian and Syrian involvement in the country.

She also declined in three television interviews Thursday morning to rule out US military action against Iran, which she and Bush accused of supporting anti-US insurgents and "terrorists" in Iraq and of trying to develop nuclear weapons.

"I don't want to speculate on what operations the United States may be engaged in, but you will see that the United States is not going to simply stand idly by and let these activities continue," she said.

[truth_seeker]

"The recent escalation should have been done two years ago."

Or as many said, from the start. Powell and McCain, to name a few.

[2001convSVT]

The article said "US troops raided Iran's consulate" I don't believe it, I actually heard that it was STUDENTS that over ran the consulate and are holding the 5 Iranians. The students also declared that they are going to remain for 444 days, I wonder what is really going on?

[Miss Didi]

I heard that there could be a war in just as short a time as three months. I hear that the Israelis are already planning on a bombing run, if the U.S. does nothing to stop Iran's nuclear capability. That bombing run would use nuclear weapons. I believe that was reported in an English paper. The Israelis say that they *will not* stand by and let Iran get the bomb. And they say that their time for action is only months away...

Where did you hear this, Star?

[kenth]

It's a shame what being at State has done to her. The worst had to have been her insistence in her belief that Hamas would not get elected.

We aren't going to do anything about Iran until it's too late. It's doubtful even then. Israel might, but then they are under the direct threat.

[Star Traveler]

You asked -- "Where did you hear this, Star?"

Well, I'll try to find it. I read papers from all over from many different aggregators (like Free Republic, for one), and I can't keep track of where I read things. It's out there. I'll see if I can come up with it.

Regards,
Star Traveler

[Miss Didi]

That's good news. I thought maybe you had inside connections.

[Star Traveler]

Okay, here's the article --

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2535310,00.html

Also, some FReeper articles --

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1763529/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1763802/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1763688/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1763497/posts

Regards,
Star Traveler

[Miss Didi]

Wow, you are a font of info. Thanks.

[Star Traveler]

You said -- "Wow, you are a font of info. Thanks."

You're welcome. Fortunately, it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be at first, to find it all.

Also -- take a look at this one --

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1763318/posts

I think we're getting ready. And that "surge" may be exactly in line with all these preparations. Who knows for sure, though...

Regards,
Star Traveler

[MontanaMatt]

If the Democrats would have supported troops in Iraq, the Iranian threat would have been resolved already.

Now, Israel is justifiably very nervous and the U.S. should be too. The problem, how to get U.S. involvement against Iran without the political headache. Answer, allow the military to do their job in an offensive stance. This forces Iran and Syria to either back-off and let Iraq cool off, which provides Bush more political wiggle room on military options for Iran. Or, end up in offensive action in Syria and Iran on terrorist support bases that would then cause a military reaction by Iran and Syria that would justify escalating the U.S. response towards Iranian offensive military sites including nuclear sites for the end-game.

This would keep Israel out of the action, maintaining hopes that the entire middle east would not conflagarate. But either way, Iran would not be nuclear in the coming years.

[ZULU]

Let's home the ayatollahs get what they deserve and have earned -

a smart-bomb suppository up their Islamist butts.