COMMENTARY | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is supposed to be the spiritual leader in Iran, but no one would ever know that by the political rhetoric the man can spew, especially against Israel and the United States. And, in keeping with norms, he continued his blasts on Thursday by threatening a bloody war.
Reuters reports that many Western media sources are expecting the United States or Israel to launch a pre-emptive strike against Iranian nuclear research facilities in order to eliminate the perceived threat that the Islamic regime is pressing ahead with developing a nuclear bomb. Between non-specific remarks out of Washington and the non-stop saber rattling by Israel, Tehran is getting a little antsy lately.
Khamenei threatened retaliation against all the "enemies" of Iran should such an attack occur. Really? If the United States or Israel decided to bomb those facilities their air forces would be safely back at base before Iran knew what hit them -- assuming, of course, that aircraft were used at all. Khamenei's threats are more for the ears of his own people then they are for the rest of the world.
As I have opined before, Israel is most likely the one who will act when they feel they are truly threatened. They've done it twice before: once against Iran in 1981 and in 1987 against Syria. Their military arsenals have significantly improved in the past three decades, so Israel is unlikely to be moved by Khamenei's latest threat.
Khamenei said anyone who attacks Iran "should get ready to receive a strong slap and an iron fist," according to Associated Press report on Thursday. A "strong slap?" Seriously? If the United States or Israel decides to act with military force, Iran is sure to experience much more than a strong slap.
All this military posturing is really sad in today's world. GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul called for engagement with the Iranians, and it would be a good way to start having a different type of conversation. Unfortunately, the Iranian government isn't accustomed to friendship -- they simply like being the bully on the block. Iran could learn a lesson by remembering that there are times when the biggest kid on the block meets an even bigger one. It applies to the world stage as much as it does to your neighborhood.
Dan McGinnis is a freelance writer, published author and former newspaper publisher. He has been a candidate, campaign manager and press secretary for state and local political campaigns for more than 30 years.




602 comments