Iran Vows To Hit Back If U.S. Attacks

Khamenei Says If Iran Is Attacked It Will Strike U.S. Interests Around The World

(CBS/AP) 
Iranian leaders often speak of a crushing response to any U.S. attack. While the remarks are seen as an attempt to drum up national support, Iran's position on Iraq and its nuclear program has provoked harsher international and especially U.S. pressure in recent months.

Kaussler cautions that Iranian "meddling" in Iraq — as it is often termed by the Bush administration — may not be as straightforward as Tehran handing over financial aid or weapons to Iraqi militants.

"There are so many players in Iranian politics, many times the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. That might well be the case," Kaussler explains. "It is possible that there are a few hotheads supplying weapons and support without the central government knowing."

President Bush has ordered American troops to act against Iranians suspected of being involved in the Iraqi insurgency in addition to deploying the second carrier.

The possibility of Iranian nationals — Kaussler acknowledges there are many radicalized Iranians willing to fight against Americans, in Iraq or anywhere — and U.S. forces facing each other on the battlefield in Iraq presents a very dangerous scenario.

An American soldier killed by an Iranian could provide President Bush with a legitimate reason to attack Iranian interests, Kaussler says. If that occurs, the situation could very quickly escalate into a conflict.

"Some people say that the U.S. president is not prone to calculating the consequences of his actions," Khamenei said in remarks broadcast on state television, "but it is possible to bring this kind of person to wisdom."

"U.S. policymakers and analysts know that the Iranian nation would not let an invasion go without a response," Khamenei added.

Last week, a publication called Sobh-e Sadegh, the official publication of Iran's elite and hardline Revolutionary Guards, also warned against American attacks, pointing out that because the U.S. has large numbers of troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, central Asia and Europe, it would be easy to kidnap Americans in retaliation.

President Ahmadinejad has very close ties to his country's military, but his popularity among the Iranian masses has dwindled over domestic troubles, including rising inflation and a generally underperforming economy — due largely to isolation from the West.

Kaussler tells CBSNews.com that an attack by the U.S. that is in any way perceived as unprovoked or undue in the eyes of Iranians could be just what the hard-line president needs to validate his militant stance and cling to power.

In his talk Thursday, Khamenei also addressed rumors about his health — a subject that is rarely discussed openly in Iran. Last month, there was speculation that his health had deteriorated seriously.

"Enemies of the Islamic system fabricated various rumors about death and health to demoralize the Iranian nation, but they did not know that they are not dealing with only one person in Iran. They are facing a nation," Khamenei said.

[tbweb]

-- shingles1

Like someone already correctly pointed out, how can Iran threaten to do something its already doing? Iran already has American blood on its hands in Iraq, providing sophisticated bomb technology to insurgents. Iran may be supporting the Iraqi government, but its hatred for America has it being 2 faced and killing Iraqis too when it serves their agenda! The United States is forced to respond with knowledge and proof that Iran is killing Americans. Iran has backed the US into a corner forcing a response, no one can kill Americans with impunity! Iranian weapons with Iranian serial numbers have been found in Iraq, Iranian involvement in killing Americans is no longer speculation! Iran drew 1st blood and has only itself to blame if America strikes back!

[tbweb]

The worlds problems can be solved overnight if Russia, China and the United States form a united front and confront the world issues together! It's only because Iran, N Korea and Venezuela can play the big dogs against each other that all this nonsense is going on! If the Russians, Chinese and Americans got together and put their differences aside, all this nonsense would stop in a heart beat! No country would be willing to take on all 3 at the same time!!

[shingles1]

You also seem to not realize that both Iran and the US are supporting the SAME government in Iraq.

You want to deal with the attacks on Americans - go after the Saudis who are funding the Sunni militants.

[shingles1]

"Iran is threatening to cross any countrys border, violate its laws and export terror to get back at Americans! Iran is also threatening to blow up oil tankers and disrupt the worlds oil supply no matter who owns those tankers!"

Yeah, they're threatening to get back at the US ONLY IF THE US ATTACKS. Not if the US DOESN'T attack.

Simply question: What would the US do if we were attacked by another country? We'd retaliate. In a heartbeat. We'd cross ANY border, because we'd have to.

This is what nations do. The only difference is that the rest of the world KNOWS that we would respond with overpowering firepower, so there's no need for us to announce it from every street corner. Smaller countries feel like they HAVE TO announce it since they don't have much else going for them (ie., no real deterrence to speak of).

[tbweb]

Iran needs to take a page from the N Korean book and come back to reality, come back to its senses! The world needs to take notice at what the Iranian leaders are saying! Iran is threatening to cross any countrys border, violate its laws and export terror to get back at Americans! Iran is also threatening to blow up oil tankers and disrupt the worlds oil supply no matter who owns those tankers! Listen to these nuts!! Does the world seriously want nuclear power in the hands of these fanatical extremist? Can you imagine Iranian threats if Iran has nukes? The world better wake up before its too late and stop the Iranian mad men!!

[lars008-2009]

We do use books that call Jews 'apes' admits head of Islamic school
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23384657-details/We%20do%20use%20books%20that%20call%20Jews%20'apes'%20admits%20head%20of%20Islamic%20school/article.do?expand=true#StartComments

[lars008-2009]

stupid fascist nazi islamic muslims.......... you cannot threaten to do what you are already doing...........

[lars008-2009]

Terrorism Awareness Project to wake up Americans
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/islamic-mein-kampf

buy yourself a sense of humor you fascist nazi Islamic muslims%u2026
http://www.henryk-broder.de/tagebuch/karikaturisten.html

[feelfree1]

patriot75,

Re: "but we don't go to war with a country that WE KNOW has WMDs including nukes, a nutjob for a leader"

Are you talking about Israel or Pakistan?

[cantshutup]

we live in a ******* up world

[beehive21-2009]

Why wait nuke em,before the runaway punks nuke us.We are sick of this BS hit em hard .Let us teach the killing machines some respect we must hit em, waste no time .You ever notice they all hang together .if one is off they're all off,at bomb making school ? Let there be no mistake we shall hang all you who tread against us .

[reel-crazy]

Let me see if I have this psycho's comments straight...

If you hit me, I hit you all over.
It's ok for me to hit you in Iraq.
It's not ok for you to hit me when in Iraq.

Someone please call Lewis Black and have him sort this madness out for us.