Iran: U.S., Israel Lack Courage to Attack

(AP)  Despite launching ongoing war games that boosted tensions in the Middle East and helped move international oil prices higher, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told reporters late Monday he has no fears that the U.S. or Israel might attack Iran.

"Those countries that you mentioned don't have the courage to do that," Ahmadinejad said.

Commenting after talking privately for three hours Monday with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - the first Iranian leader to visit Brazil since pro-U.S. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi came in 1965 - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Iran should negotiate with the West to find a "just and balanced" solution to concerns over its nuclear program.

Ahmadinejad made no promises and defiantly said Iran would try to improve its uranium-enrichment technology if it can't buy enriched uranium abroad.

"If the people ask us to produce ourselves, we should do it, and the opportunity we tried to create for the other side will be lost," said Ahmadinejad, who has repeatedly denied allegations by Washington and its European allies that Iran is trying to build atomic weapons. Iran insists its program is aimed only at generating electricity with nuclear reactors.

Last week, Iran said it would not send its enriched uranium for further processing in other nations, effectively rejecting a proposal by U.N. officials to allay worries the Iranians are developing atomic weapons. The fuel rods that would have been produced abroad under the plan can power reactors, but cannot be readily turned into weapons-grade material.

Ahmadinejad's visit with Silva was condemned by U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel, a New York Democrat who is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. He said Silva made a "serious error" in meeting with the Iranian leader.

The session was significant because Silva is a center-leftist viewed by Washington as a counterweight to more strident leftists in South America, such as the leaders of Bolivia and Venezuela who have been firm supporters of Iran.

Ahmadinejad planned to head to Bolivia on Tuesday. In addition to having a private lunch with Bolivian President Evo Morales, he was scheduled to inaugurate a hospital and, via video conference, open two milk-processing plants that Iran donated to the poor country.

Iran has also donated equipment for a state-run TV station, sold Bolivia 700 tractors made in Venezuela and provided financing for two state-run cement plants. In addition, Iran approved a $280 million low-interest loan for Bolivia that Morales can use as he sees fit, Iran's diplomatic representative, Masoud Edrisi, told The Associated Press in July.

The Iranian and Brazilian presidents didn't say whether they discussed Iranian military exercises that started Sunday, adding to Mideast tensions and driving oil prices higher as an Iranian air force commander boasted Iran could deter any military strike by Israel.

Ahmadinejad didn't utter the word Israel during his comments, but said Iran wants a Middle East with "prosperity, progress and security for all nations." In the past, he has called for the destruction of Israel, which has voiced concern about Iran's push in Latin America.

Commenting on the fate of three American hikers detained in Iran, Ahmadinejad said it is up to the judicial system to determine whether they will be released or punished, although he said he hoped any punishment would not be severe.

The Americans were detained after they crossed an unmarked border into Iran while hiking in northern Iraq in July. The U.S. says the three were innocent tourists on an adventure hike and accidentally crossed into Iran.

"We are not happy with them making this big mistake. They are now in the hands of our judiciary," Ahmadinejad told reporters. "A judge will decide about their situation. We hope the sanction will not be too heavy."

Relatives of the hikers appealed to Iranian authorities to show compassion.

"We don't understand why this case remains unresolved with no sign of progress," said the statement from the families of Josh Fattal, Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd. "We very much hope the authorities will show compassion, as the president said, and release our loved ones. It's been too long."

[Sloughfoot]

Now that we have heard from the American-Muslim represenative (krmopilci) on this site and been made painfully aware of our thankless efforts in Bosnia to keep them alive as well a a host of other alledged missgivings we can all better understand why Isreal keeps them at arms lenght, finds them untrustworthy and refuse to turn their backs on them.

Invite them into your homes, your school your social clubs and whatever but when the last thing you will ever hear is a big bang....Don't say I didn't tell you so.

[joelwisch]

I think Israel and the United States are looking at the efforts of the reform movement, and holding their wrath. If the Iranians reach a point where their ability is threatening, I would expect to see a significant military strike of some sort, and perhaps supported by the U.N.

But lets give the reform movement a chance to work. I don't think it would be easy.. I do believe it could make the process of creating a democratic Iran faster, and far more secure in its democracy.

[50BMS13]

I respect Obama on todays announcement for troop increase in Afghanistan. We need to deal with Ahmadinejad as well.

[U_S_Drug_Addict]

DOH!!!

[RedWings_ninety_one]

Don't have the courage to attack? How about don't have the money to attack. Especially with a huge recession, 2 wars, and a huge a** national debt.

[JJHH3000]

Do we at least have the courage to secure our borders once and for all, impose a moratorium on all new immigration and round up all known al-Qaeda supporters, especially radical Imams and ship them to Gitmo?

[jwesel1]

by U_S_Drug_Addict November 24, 2009 12:34 PM EST
he would probably come back and seek retribution for the U.S. Overthrowing their democratically elected government and setting up the Shah....
======================================================================
Faux News could answer that by saying that US knew back in 1950s that Iranians were going to take over the embassy in 1970s and that's why it overthrew the government. Who knows the FNC viewers might actually believe this.

[mjlewis6]

Amadinejad should worry that American Justice or a War Crimes Tribunal would deal with him when he is out of office.

Kidnapping and holding American hostages 444 days during the Iranian Revolution is no laughing matter. We are currently after Osama bin Ladin and Al Qaeda for attacks on our embassies in East Africa in addition to the 9/11 attacks. As far as I know, Mr. Amadinejad has executive immunity until he leaves office.

Mr. Amadinejad was identified by an American who was held hostage at the embassy as being one of the terrorists in charge of prisoners.

As much as Hezbollah has Israel in its gun-sights and Hamas has rocketed Israel from Gaza....Mr. Amadinejad, private Iranian citizen- to-be in the future, you may have a day in court before a similar body and face your accusers, something you deny the Iranian demonstrators in your courts. What say we allow some of those families to attend your trial and give character evidence, too?

[AOCGUY]

Executive immunity didn't help either Noriega nor Saddam

[armik80]

all knows that there is a 30 yearsold war still going on between iranian ppl & terrorist gov of fenatics inside the country.the bigest help from us & western gov in this past 30 years was to band opposition & put thier name in black list .only for having a none secens dialog with regim ,so called diplomacy for engaing fascist muhllas in international coummunity ,no change on regim side, closer to atumic bomb & more vaiolation or humanrits in and out side iran ,more terrorist supported by regim.now is time to stop appeasment polecy & support iranian opp like NCR lead by maryam rajavi.

[curiously1]

What an alliance ! Iran, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, North Korea, Somalia... The union of "Pan-Handlers" !

Ahmed is a fool !

[newerdeal]

US maybe, but Israel ?

Israel attacks like a lion.

[dubya_luvr]

If you mean Israel attacks "like a lion" as in "attacks women and children indiscriminately like an animal," then I agree.

The Israeli government is no better than the terrorists they fight.

[dubya_luvr]

LOL...Mortarman-29 must be up pretty late in Tel Aviv posting this drivel.

Sorry, I put USA first. We need to protect OUR citizens, not yours. If Israel starts an armed conflict, Israel can finish it alone. Let Israel go beg money and protection from China instead.