Map: The straights of Hormuz look shallow and narrow

As the Gulf is too shallow for US subs, this only leaves US air power to secure the straights. . Given Irans sophistication in missiles and its ownership of ‘SunBurn missiles’ it is hard to imagine it could not make an effective blockade.

Map from: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/iran_strait_of_hormuz_2004.jpg

The word assassinate came from Persia.

The word assassinate comes from the Arabic word Hashishan. . Because young men spent days in a harem with lots of Hashish before they were sent out to exterminate an individual. There are of course conflicting accounts, some say no Harem, some say no Hashish. . The Hashishans were originally from Persia from before the 14th Century. . Here is a Wikipedia quotation: Hashshashin fortress of Alamut. The Hashshashin (also Hashishin, Hashashiyyin, Hashasheen or Assassins) were an offshoot of the Ismā’īlī sect of Shia Muslims. After a quarrel about the succession of leadership in the ruling Fatimide dynasty in Cairo around the year 1090, the losing Nizāriyya faction were driven from Egypt. They established a number of fortified settlements in present day Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon under the charismatic leader Hasan-i Sabbah. Persecuted as infidels by the dominant sunni sect in the Muslim world, they sent dedicated people to eliminate prominent Sunni leaders, whom they considered “impious usurpers.” The sect was decimated by the invading Mongols, their last stronghold being flattened by Hülegü Khan in the year 1272. Some scholars believe the term Hashshashin, a name given to them by their enemies, was derived from the Arabic “haššāšīn” (حشّاشين, “hashish user”), which they are alleged to have ingested prior to their attacks, but this etymology is disputed. The sect referred to themselves as al-da’wa al-jadīda (Arabic:الدعوة الجديدة), which means the new doctrine, and were known within the organization as Fedayeen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashshashin

The NeoCons like provoking Russia. Lavrov ‘no trust’

Russia really doesn’t want the US’ missiles in Eastern Europe. It has been so vocal about this for so long. One could surmise there have been behind the scenes bargaining. “Stop helping Iran and we won’t put the missile in Europe”, an American could say. “Don’t put the missiles in Europe and we won’t help Iran so much”, a Russian might say. Well it just goes to show, a NeoCon can only make an enemy. There are obviously people in Washington who think provoking Russia is wise. Lavrov (Russian Foreign Minister) is quoted as saying relations are worse than in the cold war, and also ominously, don’t attack Iran. The decision makers in Washington are probably only looking at Gazprom, if Washington can’t get a cut on Russian oil, there is no sense in cooperating. And so it goes from top to bottom, a trickle down philosophy that might sound familiar. Of course Israel must feel informed of Russian workings. There are a million Russians in Israel. The aspiration of defeating Iran is a false messiah. Everyone is united in this focus. Beg borrow steal lie for the cause. It did work in bringing down the Soviet Union. These are now different times with different challenges. And it is better to build foundations than sabre rattling.

If Iran is attacked, what can it do?

If Iran is attacked, what can it do? It could down every sea going vessel within a few hundred miles. It has sunburn missiles to which NATO admits there is no defense. They did have a range of 250 kilometres, either landbased or airborne launched. And their range may have been extended. This is the type of missile that Hizbollah successfully used on the Israeli navy in 2006. Iran would be obliged to destroy US (and UK & French?) bases nearby. Iraq Bahrain Turkey Oman (and many others). And Iran most most probably does have more than a million missiles. Dependency on Syria could not be taken for certain, but at this time it is most likely that Syria would assist in attacking Israel, and of course Hizbollah would assist. It has been written that Iran purchased ICBM’s from Ukraine (5 or more). Iran has launched its own satellite. Which means it has rocket technology. And western intelligence speak of 600 hundred kilometres of tunnels. Iran will without doubt see the source of its adversarial problem as Israel, and will surely strike Israel. Now what does the US (and Israel) have? The US has failed in all attempts at warfare. It has rarely faced an organised Army, anyway not without bleeding it dry for ten years with sanctions. Israel did fight an effective war in 73. That was 35 years ago…. There are still thousands of Russians in Iran, assisting in the development of Nuclear power. Russia is firmly allied with Iran, even though it has supported non violent UN resolutions. And China’s trade with Iran is also huge. If we are depending for advice on the Israelis, who are reputed to be the most clever and valiant fighters, and who got is so completely wrong two years ago in Lebanon. And who have supported the US’ wars. What will happen with Iran? It will all go wrong like everything else under Bush II has. The moral to the story: the Zionist fervour was functional and successful until they got too much power. Presumably Iran has particularly good intelligence gathering in the countries near it and will know when the US is priming its missile launchers. And what do the clever Israelis, and Anglo Saxons do? They work for defence, instead of inventing ways of helping people and thereby enriching their nations, they are consumed by considering ways of killing and distracting those that might have noble aspirations.

New US naval blockade on Iran: To be an act of war

The US looks set to pass laws imposing a naval blockade on Iran. I guess this is in retaliation for Teheran’s opposition to the occupation treaty the US wants with Iraq. Tehran has survived this far through being clever, it might well back down (if only temporarily) from Uranium enrichment. Time might create a friendlier Obama presidency or time might increase Iran’s weapon capability. There are Press releases from the Iranian web site presstv suggesting a willingness to negotiate. It would be hard to imagine Tehran putting up with a naval blockade! Each war discovers a new weapon, In Lebanon the anti-tank weapons (albeit 1970’s vintage) and the anti ship missiles. In Iraq the roadside bomb. Maybe with a blockade there will be a non explosive slow missile that just leeches on to a ship, and drills a hole so that it slowly sinks. A US House of Representatives Resolution effectively requiring a naval blockade on Iran seems fast tracked for passage, gaining co-sponsors at a remarkable speed, but experts say the measures called for in the resolutions amount to an act of war. H.CON.RES 362 calls on the president to stop all shipments of refined petroleum products from reaching Iran. It also “demands” that the President impose “stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains and cargo entering or departing Iran.” http://www.globalresearch.ca/ There is also evidence that for every dollars worth of oil imported from the Persian Gulf region the Pentagon takes five dollars out of the Federal budget to ’secure’ the flow of that oil! This is a clear indication that the claim that the U.S. military presence in the Middle East is due to oil consideration is a fraud From “Are They Really Oil Wars?” by Ismael Hossein-zadeh

Economist: likelihood of ban on Turkish ruling party is a disastrous mistake.

The likelihood of a ban on the ruling party is growing. It would be a disastrous mistake.

The economist makes a long list of convincing reasons why banning the AKP would be very bad for Europe. It predicts disorder and a strengthening of islamic parties and disquiet over much of the Turkish nation. The secularist elite, the economist points out, is shrinking. The question is, is there outside meddling. Is it a neocon manipulation? Are forces of industry and finance desiring a ‘regime change’. Judging from the economist we can expect it all to go haywire. It all seems similar to the PA challenging Hamas in Gaza or the Leb. government taking on Hizbollah. The AKP just won 47% of the vote, and have ruled for 6 years. The economist does not mention the size of Turkey’s military (it is huge), nor the repercussions for the west if the judiciary and military become discredited, through a failed policy. The panic amongst the secularists and the military is that the government could move towards Iran. Turkey has refused to accept any more hospitality from the IMF and the government feels it can succeed without the loans and subsequent policing of them. So we know the IMF is upset (and that includes their friends, other private and institutional investors). It smells like turmoil is on its way, and the irony is this is the government that started talks with the EU. Maybe Iran can act as peacemaker? It has a good record in Iraq and Lebanon. And Iran is cooperating with Turkey on Kurdish issues. BTW the auhoritative economist has its own intelligence unit. If this is a NeoCon triggered plan, how can they imagine to succeed when nothing else they have done has worked? From another Economist opinion piece on the same issue: To many the case is like a judicial coup: a last-ditch attempt to cling to power by an elite that refuses to share wealth and social space with a rising class of pious Turks, symbolised by the AKP. It may also further discredit the constitutional court. And this article ends on this sentence: … the threat of radical Islam in Turkey may have increased thanks to the secularists’ attack on the AKP.

The above text is from here:
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11541234&CFID=9707135&CFTOKEN=42981181

Israeli Govt. Spokesperson Israel will lose Iran war

These excerpts from Presstv:

Colonel Miri Eisen, a special Israeli government spokesperson in Dublin.

The Israeli state coffers would be drained in the wake of war with Iran, Eisen added at a seminar in Dublin’s Trinity College, Jewish Telegraph Agency reported.

Eisen said [ Israel ] should welcome a diplomatic solution with Tehran. “There is no other way — because if it becomes Israel versus Iran, Israel has already lost.”

http://jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/news/article/20080516eiseniran.html

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=56126&sectionid=351020101

Sen. Kerry to Bush: Dissolve your cabinet Presstv MSNBC

Oh Yes please, a way out, that’ll do.

A message to our mentors

Who is more patriotic?

The one who says, ‘if they go for Iran, they’ll get an electric shock’ and puts his thumbs up.

Or the one who goes for Iran and gets an electric shock. The gunghos are doing no one a favour, particularly themselves, their offspring and their allies.

Washington targeting training camps in Iran

Washington targeting training camps in Iran
The places where insurgents and terrorists etc. get trained. It sounds like a cowardly way to further the war aims. It also sounds extremely stupid. Given the vulnerability of the US forces who are in the Gulf region. Considering the alternatives, well there really are not any, targeting more than the training camps with more missiles thus getting a guaranteed retaliation against Israel. Using weapons of mass destruction, most countries possess these, and surely they would be used in retaliation. Or waging war on Iran in a sensible manner would require an army of many many millions of trained personnel, which is totally unfeasible. So it is a lose lose story.
What can the West do? Its going under, to some degree on the financial front, it is sinking. And there will be increasing calls for justice, for punishment for those that lied.
We need a Gorbachov (just to repeat myself) someone to dismantle it all.
Nobody can save the economic might of the US. The train is in motion. If the bloodshed increases, then so will the calls for justice. Isn’t it all ironic, that bush is so close to iran right now, if he just zipped over there now, everything could be sorted. When Nixon went to China, it took the world by shock. China was the Pariah state.

War with Iran close, no far away, no close ….

War with Iran close, no far away, no close ….

Everyday different headlines, all persuasive and convincing. The Neo Cons have never changed their tune, they are predictable. But the recent events in Lebanon surely have had an earth shattering effect. Maybe now the penny has dropped. The gungho realize other people are the same. Whether Arabs Chinese blue or brown. And to add insult to injury, capitalism is looking like a joke. And not even working in the favour of the imperialists!

Like petrol waiting for a spark: everyone can see through the poverty of our ruling juntas.

So what now, buy time, that won’t work. It is time for a radical change, some admission of guilt, which means a required demonising of the old guard, a new ‘gang of four’.

Bush is visiting Olmert in Israel, two empties in a vacuum, a manifestation of a vacuum, spin won’t even help. Is he going to announce more arms shipments, to who, the Lebanese Govt, Palestinian Authority, the Iraqi Govt forces.

Three more people were killed in Sadr city last night. A patriotic loyal officer insured this would happen, someone who thinks they believe in Bush or Olmert. Someone who grew up to be loyal to their country and to their kind.

The west empowers Iran!

Iranian expansion is root of Mid East crises says Israeli Army Radio.

Great your young will now hate Iran. Iran is just filling the void. The west has destroyed its two enemies, the Taliban and Saddam’s Baathists. Created a pro Iranian Government in Iraq. Nurtured the creation and success of Hamas. And created Hizbollah out of a forlorn peasant farmer class. The Iranians, Chinese and Russians are laughing themselves silly. And nobody can put a stop to it. Because the power is hidden and rooted in a fundamentalist anachronistic philosophy. Implemented by a capitalist armaments industry.

Will Israel let Syria go in Lebanon?

Will Israel let Syria go in Lebanon?

And in Israel, they say they do not want a war. Yet they don’t speak out about the Iraqi conquest. The two are totally connected. The power behind the continuation of the conquest, is the same power that would be happy if there is a civil war in Lebanon, that would be happy if Syria intervened, and would then be happy to attack Syria.
The military and Oil industries depend upon conflict.
If Iran were to assist Syria in such a conflict, then certainly the US will attack Iran. This must all be common knowledge to the intelligence communities on all sides.
Would anyone assist Iran? Unlikely, but the candidates are Pakistan, Russia, China and least likely Turkey.
Syria’s best hope would be having sophisticated missiles from Iran. And thereby disabling the Israeli airfields.
Hassan Nasrallah is giving a speech now. Everyone will be listening. The likelihood of a conflict in Lebanon is increasingly likely. And it is unlikely not to spread.
To stop an Israeli Syrian war, it is necessary to oppose, Bush, Rice and all NeoCons, it is necessary to oppose the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Iran, war is not an option.

Iran’s retaliation
Most pundits refer to Iran’s ability to activate sleepers and secret groups worldwide.
There might be some truth in this. But they wouldn’t waste their time with incendiary devices.
The real threat from Iran is high tech. ICBM’s it has from the Ukraine. It also has sophisticated electronic jamming equipment. And presumably 100’s of thousands of missiles. Iran claims to have radar evading missiles.
The Shiites don’t seem to lie, using Hassan Nasrallah as an example.
Apart from their own satellite or two, we can assume they have access to Russian and/or Chinese surveillance.
It is hard to understand how Iran could be subdued. If WMD’s were used, we can assume Iran’s response is set for ‘automatic’.
Iran, Russia, China, Venezuela all are getting stronger due to the war on terror. They are playing the capitalist game, not mixing politics with the economy. Although they are keeping the lions share of their resources.
The wars are not only costly, they are wasting human resources that could be used in an otherwise productive way.
Successful empires co-opted foreigners, they didn’t terrorize them. The whole strategy in Iraq has long been said to resemble Israel’s strategy in the territories. Fence them in, enslave them.
The brutishness of the neocons is public knowledge. Guantanamo and Abu Gharab say it all. But there is also an hidden hand, one that is preaching racial/idealogical superiority. And it is
increasingly obvious that it is a failed policy. No one in the corporate media (or in the main body politic) is challenging this.
The democratic results play into the hands of Iran, and the persuasiveness of the Mullahs rhetoric is superior to the NeoCons.

Iran to export Saffron Pills

Saffron Pill Factory Operational

Saffron is one of the most expensive herbs, with a wide variety of medicinal qualities: Fertility, Digestive, Urinary, psychological and more.

“The first saffron pill factory became operational in Birjand, South Khorasan province on Thursday.
… will produce five million saffron pills annually,….
The factory is in talks with 11 countries for exporting its products, the industrialist concluded.”

http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3116/html/economy.htm

Business opportunities Iran

Most Israelis/Zionists would be a little disgusted with the advertisment in the previous post.
And the influential decision makers will be busy making bids ….

http://www.irantender.com/

Our aim is to introduce and simplify doing business and participating in tenders in Iran and in the Middle East region. Iran Tender service portfolio is extensive, we can provide consulting to organizations wishing to have a better understanding of the Iranian market, and help develop their business in this very different market. Register yourself to our web site and enjoy the benefits of becoming an ITC member. Stay ahead of the competition.

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Bids Jihad Fertilizer

Sadr forces relinquish Basra

Sadr relinquishes Basra.

As the Israelis have outfoxed the Arabs.  Now Iran is Outfoxing the West.

By not allowing itself to be baited, and realizing time is on its side.

There must have been a lot of behind the scenes mediating.

How does Iran always come out smelling of roses and pushing for peace?

Presumably the oil revenues have been divied, this time there was no blowing up of the oil pipes.

———–

There are still unanswered questions, fighting continues in Sadr city, and Sadr is threatening an all out war. Well Rice’s unannounced visit is for a reason.

Losing Afghanistan and still making enemies …

We are pushing the Turks, the Pakistanis, the Iranians, the Russians, The Chinese all together:

Turkey, Pakistan and Iran aligned? Fears tend to come true.

The loyalties of Pakistan and Turkey cannot be taken for granted.
Condidering if their loyalties were to shift, this would alter the military and political equation of muslim power.
Turkey, Pakistan and Iran are the three most powerful Muslim countries.
The vast majority of Pakistanis are opposed to what the US is doing in their area of the world. Probably around 90 per cent. After all it has brought violence and death into Pakistan. Seperately to the above there are also US attacks on Pakistani territory. And the Taliban were supported by Pakistan. Perhaps a good analogy of Pakistanis attitude to the US is that of the Palestinians to the US Govt. Pakistan would love to be out of the yoke of the US. It does have strong ties with China. And China is now Americas Banker.
At the very least Pakistan could not be relied upon in any conflict with Iran.
Turkey resembles Pakistan in terms of attitude towards the US. Both countries are experiencing financial threats. Their economies more threatened now than a year ago. In Turkey there are moves to ban the ruling party and outlaw its politicians from power.

With Irans rising star and substantial borders with both countries, and all three of the countries populations beleivers in Islam. If they are headed towards any unity of thought or action. Then Islam might suddenly seem even larger than ever.
All thanks to the ‘war on terror’.

sphere related material

Knock knock knocking on war’s door

If only one could believe the Israelis saying their military drills, are to learn how to deal with a defense against missiles. In reality. could they ever be more ready to attack than when they are mobilised in formations? Well only if you think like the old guard. The old guard is used to trampling over willy nilly civilians, in their pursuit of conquest. Although some noteworthy exceptions: Lebanon 06, Syria 82 (Bekaa Valley), and also the Egyptians crossing the Suez.
Really the Israelis are in no position to attack, well certainly not in terms of troops in the front line, I wouldn’t want to advise on better methods, but the troops in the north are nothing but targets, they might be able to conquer the Druse of the Golan, who are already conquered.
And why has Israel gone into the north of Gaza in the last 24 hours? It’s still bluff and bravado, but they are acting with the military.
No one is listening to Avneri : ‘If Kant were dug up tomorrow and asked about the Palestinians, he would probably answer: “Give them what you think should be given to everybody, and don’t wake me up again to ask silly questions.”
And why Tony Karon is writing about economic warfare, when the news is not new, is a mystery, it might mean the policy has failed, is ineffective. It is for a reason! Austria last year, Switzerland this year. Maybe there is an imminent announcement regarding the Iranian Oil bourse. Although it has already officially opened after many delays, it has perhaps only been treading water. While googling this, even main stream oil publications were pondering conspiracy theories about the cut data cables.
Ex president Katsav was accused of rape etc, in the midst of the Lebanon war, there can be little doubt that he was out of line with the powerful in Israel. Maybe he was advocating going nuclear, who knows? Well he just withdrew his plea bargain, which means he has hardened his stance. Maybe he feels vilified.
If any war mongers want to pull a trigger, there is no easier time than when troops and nation are mobilised. Ignoring what is being said is the key to understanding. Immediately before Israel bombed Syria last year, it was making explicit peace overtures.
I glanced a headline: ‘Jordan demining borders’, well well well … The Golan and Lebanon must be impassable. –

Xymphora: assessing the Basra fiasco

There are indications that the ‘adults’ - that’s the code word, and a very appropriate one, for ‘anti-Zionists’ - in Washington would like to have some kind of rapprochement with Iran, and indications that the representatives of the Iranian plutocracy are also looking for a mutually economically beneficial resolution. The Iranians just saved the Americans and their semi-stooge from great embarrassment, or even worse, by ordering both al-Maliki and al-Sadr to back off. Even more impressive, this Iranian effort is being honestly acknowledged in the tightly controlled American press. American ‘hard power’ was useless to help al-Maliki, and Americans have absolutely no ’soft power’ in the Middle East, so it took Iran to save the day from another American- Zionist attempt to stir up trouble. Will Iran get points in Washington for saving the Americans from yet another Zionist-inspired disaster?
source

Russian intelligence sees U.S. military buildup on Iran border

From RIA NOVOSTI

Russian intelligence sees U.S. military buildup on Iran border
17:31 27/ 03/ 2007

The above link from what really happened , where there is some commentary.