Obama makes hawkish noises about Iran

Obama warns Iran he’s not bluffing over nuclear weapons, Herald Sun, by: By Mark S Smith & Anne Gearan in Washington From: AP March 03, 2012 US President Barack Obama warned that he is not bluffing about attacking Iran if it builds a nuclear weapon, in an interview published overnight

In his most expansive remarks on the issue so far, Mr Obama told The Atlantic magazine that Iran and Israel both understand that “a military component” is among a mix of options for dealing with Iran, along with sanctions and diplomacy.

That is the most direct threat Mr Obama has issued during months of
escalating tension with Iran over its disputed nuclear development
program.

His comments appeared aimed more at Israel and its supporters in the
United States.

Mr Obama addresses the influential American Israel Public Affairs
Committee on Sunday and meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu on Monday at the White House. Mr Netanyahu will also address
AIPAC…..
Mr Obama will try to convince Mr Netanyahu to postpone any plans his
government may have to unilaterally attack Iran’s nuclear facilities
in coming months.

An attack that soon would not carry US backing, and the US would
probably not be involved in planning or executing it.

Nonetheless, it could force the United States into a new conflict and
an arms race in the Middle East, as Mr Obama made clear in the
interview.

It also could allow Iran to paint itself the victim and draw new
support that would undermine rather than enhance Israel’s security, Mr
Obama warned.

“At a time when there is not a lot of sympathy for Iran and its only
real ally (Syria) is on the ropes, do we want a distraction in which
suddenly Iran can portray itself as a victim?” Mr Obama said.

At the same time, Mr Obama has consistently refused to renounce a
military option for the United States down the road. The dispute with
Israel is over the timing and efficiency of such a strike, not whether
one is ever appropriate.

The difference of opinion has quickly come to dominate the US-Israeli
relationship, and the US strategy for dealing with a nuclear Iran is a
major issue for American Jewish voters in this election year.

An attack that soon would not carry US backing, and the US would
probably not be involved in planning or executing it.

Nonetheless, it could force the United States into a new conflict and
an arms race in the Middle East, as Mr Obama made clear in the
interview.

It also could allow Iran to paint itself the victim and draw new
support that would undermine rather than enhance Israel’s security, Mr
Obama warned.

Israeli leaders have strongly hinted that they want to hear clearer
terms from Mr Obama for what the United States would do if Iran
crosses the threshold from nuclear energy to nuclear weapons. Until
now, Mr Obama has said a nuclear Iran is unacceptable but has not
spelled out just what the US would do or when. In the interview, Mr
Obama did go further than he has before. He explicitly referred to the
possible use of military force, and he firmly rejected the notion that
the United States might settle for a strategy of deterring Iran from
using a nuclear weapon…..
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/obama-warns-iran-hes-not-bluffing-over-nuclear-weapons/story-e6frf7jx-1226287934807