According to today's daily briefing from the The Council on Foreign Relations, the Bush administration is stepping up pressure on Iran, just as Tehran seems to be softening its nuclear stance:
The bank squeezes, seizures in Iraq, and movement of carrier groups in the Gulf also appear to be an attempt by Washington to take advantage of perceived divisions within the Iranian regime. In particular, many experts say the Iranian elite may now be reconsidering its approach to retaining a civilian nuclear program. A few editorialists representing Iranian hard-line elites have voiced their displeasure with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's nuclear showmanship. The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his chief arms negotiator Ali Larijani, who wield more influence over foreign policy than Ahmadinejad, have indicated they may soften Iran's nuclear stance.
Khameini and other elements within Iran's ruling class appear intent on reining in Ahmadinejad. His anti-Western rhetoric and nuclear posturing, domestic critics say, have only undermined Iran's position and damaged its economy.
Yes, that's right, the clown in the White House now is now trying to financially isolate Iran by pressuring various institutions to sever ties with Iranian banks. The U.S. has already positioned a second aircraft carrier in the Gulf, in what is thought to be a threatening gesture towards Tehran. Don't forget the recent raid on the quasi-consulate in Kurdistan, the US backing of MEK guerillas inside Iran, and Bush's showy authorization to American troops to kill "Iranian operatives" in Iraq.
According to a new poll most Iranian support uranium enrichment, but also want their country to comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. According to the poll, only 15% of Iranians want to withdraw from the NNT, which gives Iran the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
There is no Iranian nuclear crisis. The Bush administration just wants another war.
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