| July 14, 2008 Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
said on Monday a military attack on Iran over its nuclear
program would have grave consequences for the United States,
Israel and the world. Speculation of a strike against Iran's
nuclear facilities has mounted following a report that Israel
staged an air force exercise which was a rehearsal for such an
attack.
"It will cost the United States and the planet dear," Assad said
in an interview with France Inter radio, adding that such an
attack, if it occurred, would have an impact on Israel. "Israel
will pay directly the price of this war. Iran has said so. The
problem is not the action and reaction. The problem is that when
one starts such action in the Middle East, one cannot manage the
reactions that can spread out over years or even decades," he
said.
Assad said logic would dictate that there would be no attack on
Iran because of the serious repercussions, but such reasoning
was not necessarily shared by the current US administration.
"This administration is an administration whose doctrine is a
warmonger's doctrine. It does not reason with our logic, ours
and that of most European countries, most countries in the
world," Assad said.
Iran denies Western charges that it is secretly trying to
develop nuclear weapons but its program is for civilian
purposes. Tehran says it only wants to master nuclear technology
to generate electricity. Israel is widely believed to possess
the Middle East's only nuclear arsenal. The Jewish state,
however, neither confirms nor denies possessing such weapons
Ayatollah Kashani says
Iran will give strong response to likely invasions
Meanwhile Leader of Tehran Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani
said Friday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not a threat
but will give a regretful response to possible invasions.
"... So, Iran is not a threat. That's what regional and even
western states have said. They say Iran is ready for talks.
Don't raise hue and cry against Iran. Oh! the world's liars! Oh
the liar Israel! Oh the liar White House! If you wish to attack
Iran, we will give you a response that will make you regretful,"
said Ayatollah Kashani in his second Friday prayers sermon.
Ayatollah Kashani defended legal nature of Iran's missile
test over the past few days.
"All know that it is a legal exercise and carried out within
borders and territories of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Many in
the world have condemned claims that the wargame is illegal."
"As to the claims that the wargame is a threat, it should be
said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has gained part of its
power and is in stage of obtaining some other part of its power
in terms of litary technique, industry and knowledge. You
(enemies) should admit the Islamic Republic of Iran's power."
He said Iran is powerful as other states, including
westerners, have come to acknowledge to that.
"The world has come to admit the power but enemies do not do
that. This means that they (enemies) do admit it implicitly,
while explicitly raising hues and cries against the Islamic
Republic of Iran. Iran's conduct is clear over the past 30
years. To where it has been a threat? You were yourselves a
threat and translated your threat into action too. What did you
do with Iran? You pit the dirty natured and misfortune Saddam
against Iran. You committed crimes in Afghanistan and Iran and
continue committing crimes in different countries too. You want
to commit whatever crime you can in Iran.
That's your history and identity. Iran's identity is
transparent, clean and clear."
He said Iran does not recognize Israel but does not wish to
initiate any war on it.
"Iran does not officially recognize Israel as a legal country
because it is a usurper and has usurped a country... but we do
not wish to go into war with Israel now. Iran does not plan to
launch its missiles on Tel Aviv. It however will take action if
you pound us and make an invasion," he announced.
Elsewhere in his sermon, Ayatollah Kashani said Iran is ready
to talk over its nuclear issue.
"Iran and Europe are ready for talks now. Iran accepts the
NPT overall. Peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program is fully
clear." |
Add Comments To
Any Of This Author's Stories