War with Iran? A Round-up.

Lately, there has certainly been an increase in rumblings regarding Iran's continued nuclear ambitions (to which there is a tiny silver lining). Not the least of which has been Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announcement today that Iran's nuclear program "has no brake and no reverse gear" and they're ready "even for war."

As you may have seen yesterday on my off-blog clips list (to the right), "there are four or five generals and admirals we know of who would resign if Bush ordered an attack on Iran."

A generals’ revolt on such a scale would be unprecedented. “American generals
usually stay and fight until they get fired,” said a Pentagon source. Robert
Gates, the defence secretary, has repeatedly warned against striking Iran and is
believed to represent the view of his senior commanders.

Still, VP Cheney "renewed Washington's warning to Iran that 'all options' are on the table if the country continues to defy U.N.-led efforts to get Tehran to abandon its nuclear programs."

In response, Iran's foreign minister says U.S. in no position "to impose another crisis on its tax payers [...] by starting another war in the region.”

Sure enough, though, a new strategy, referred to by White House officials as "The Redirection," is shifting Mid-East priorities and bringing the U.S. in a more open confrontation with Tehran. A "Pentagon panel has been created to plan a bombing attack that could be implemented within 24 hours of getting the go-ahead from President George W. Bush." An attack that could have "political support" by early '08 - which may not be soon enough as already "U.S. special forces and intelligence operatives have been conducting a lot of “very aggressive” activities inside Iran on the border of Iraq."

Israel is locked, loaded, and ready to go - after receiving the OK from Gulf states for overflights, they're seeking an "all clear" from the U.S. to initiate an air strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. (Though some deny this.)

Meanwhile, the U.N. has claimed that "most U.S. intelligence [regarding Iran's nuclear program...] has proved inaccurate and none has led to significant discoveries inside Iran."

Condi has vowed talks could begin if Iran halts their nuclear program, a program which (as linked earlier) has no brakes. I'd love to believe that Bill Richardson's ideas of diplomatic relations with Iran would prove productive, after all, great leaders have known the importance maintaining discussions with your enemy while still staying sharp militarily. But I have a feeling that both Ahmadinejad and Bush may be in something of a Mexican standoff - neither willing to yield until the other meets some preliminary demands.

Jordan's King Abdullah said this is a final opportunity for Mid-East peace, but the opportunity for a peaceful resolution of this Iranian stalemate may have already passed as this mess is quickly coming to a head.

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Update (2/26 2:02am): "The five permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany likely will consider restrictions on trade and arms for Iran when they meet Monday to discuss new ways to pressure Tehran to suspend parts of its nuclear program."