Mideast News Round Up for 7-3-8
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Mideas News Round Up
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For
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7-3-8
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Iran Prepares For War
Readies Graves for 300,000
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Rumors: Iran Ready To Compromise?
An unsubstantiated report by an Israeli TV station has sparked hope that military conflict between Iran and the West can be averted, at least for awhile.
As Israeli TV commentator reports that he has information from "Western government officials" that Iran has signalled a willingness to halt its uranium enrichment activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. According to the TV commentator, their would be a six-week trial period. The Jerusalem Post reports on this story, noting that it has been unable to confirm nor deny the report.
Until now, Iran has resolutely refused to compromise or even accept special incentives packages offered by the West in return for halting its enrichment program. More details on this story, LINK HERE.
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Iran Hints At Nuke Compromise
An advisor to Iran's top religious leader, Ayatollah Khameini has hinted that his nation might be willing to compromise on the Iranian nuclear program standoff. More details, LINK HERE.
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US Won't Let Iran Close Hormuz Strait
The US Navy will engage Iran if necessary to prevent Iran from closing off the Persian Gulf's Strait of Hormuz. US officials reacted to Iran's top military general who warned this week that if attacked, Iran would shut off oil tanker traffic transiting the narrow Strait of Hormuz, which is the doorway in and out of the Persian Gulf for oil tankers.
40% of the world's oil transits through the Straits of Hormuz via oil tankers leaving the Persian Gulf and headed out into the Indian Ocean. The Hormuz Strait is so narrow that the sinking of a single large ship could bottle up shipping traffic in the Gulf for months until the sunken ship could be cleared from the area. The threat of Iranian closure of the Straits has helped fuel a spike in oil prices, prompting US Naval leaders to reassure the world that the US Navy will prevent Iran from closing down the vital oil lane. For more on this story, LINK HERE.
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Israel's Former Spy Chief:
Israel Must Attack Iran
A former spymaster for Israel is speaking out, advocating the need for Israel to attack Iran before its too late. WND has a full story. LINK HERE.
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USA's Top Military Brass:
Strike On Iran Could Upset M/E
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mullen spoke out Wednesday on stories about Israel preparing to strike Iran before the end of the year. Mullen, fresh from a trip to Israel for consultations with Israeli military leaders told reporters that a strike by Israel against Iranian nuclear facilities could be quite stressful to the United States.
The Admiral indicated that such a military strike against Iran would be a high risk action that might destabilize the entire MIddle East. The Admiral refused to reveal anything that the Israelis told him during his visit to Israel over the weekend. When asked by reporters if he was concerned about an Israeli strike before the end of the year, Mullen stated: "This is a very unstable part of the world and I don't need it to be more unstable."
Mullen later admitted it would be difficult for the US to take military action against Iran when he stated: "Opening up a third front right now would be extremely stressful on us." Mullen also admitted that he believes Iran is working to build nuclear weapons, "I believe they're still on a path to get nuclear weapons and I think that's something that needs to be deterred." Mullen went on to stress that diplomatic, financial and economic actions should be carried out first before committing to military action. He noted however, than any action in the Mideast is a "high-risk" move.
The Admiral's news conference was preceded earlier in the day by President Bush's own news conference. Bush was asked about the increased speculation that Israel might strike Iran. Bush deflected the questioning by simply stating that "all options are on the table" but that military action is not his first choice.
For more on today's comments by the Admiral and the President, LINK HERE.
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Any Attack Would Provoke
Fierce Reaction
Iran responded today to news media war talk articles and to statements made by the Pentagon, warning that any attack would provoke fierce Iranian reaction. More details, LINK HERE.
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Russia Says
Attack on Iran "Catastrophic"
Russia warned Israel and America on Wednesday that an attack on Iran by either the United States or Israel would be catastrophic for everyone. LINK HERE.
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World Tribune Claims:
Israel Won't Attack In 2008
The World Tribune claims that a undisclosed Israeli official has told the publication that Israel will not attack Iran in 2008 and is communicating this fact behind closed doors to world leaders. The World Tribune elaborates on a single Israeli source as indicating that Israel's leaders wish to allow yet another round of diplomacy to be attempted and noted that Israel is simply not militarily ready to strike Iran.
The World Tribune is the only news media outlet making such a claim. US Admiral Mullen, fresh from a visit to Israel for talks on Iran refused to indicate what Israel's plans were. It is inconceivable that Israeli leaders would not inform the US of its intentions. Mullen could have easily reassured the world that Israel was not ready to strike Iran in 2008, but he refused to do so, suggesting that Israel was not ruling out a time of its own choosing.
Something else to ponder concerning the World Tribune report is that Israel is in the midst of a change in leadership. Prime Minister Olmert is being forced to step down and no one really knows who will replace him, so no Israeli official can speak with any certainty on what a new Prime Minister might choose. The first thing Israel would want is a sneak attack so public statements that would cause Iran to let down its guard would be an attempt to sow disinformation in advance of military action.
For more on the World Tribune's story, LINK HERE.
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Diplomats Try To Tamp Down War Fears
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French President Focuses on Mideast
French President Nicolas Sarkozy continues to keep the Middle East and Israel central in French foreign policy. The French prresident is working to assist negotiating the release of an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas over two years ago. More details, LINK HERE.
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More Rockets From Gaza To Israel
Ceasefire Violations Continue
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Israel Closes Gaza Border, Again
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Palestinians Storm Gaza-Egypt
Border Crossing
An angry Palestinian mob attempted to storm the Egyptian border crossing on Wednesday. Egyptian security forces repelled the crowd with a water cannon while the mob fought back with rocks. Egypt has kept the border sealed for a year, since Hamas took control of Gaza. Earlier this year, a similar protest managed to break through and overwhelm Egyptian security guards, keepingthe border crossing open while a half million Palestinians scampered to nearby Egyptian towns to buy goods that are prevented by blockade from entering Gaza. For more details on today's incident, LINK HERE.
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Terror Strike in Jerusalem
3 Dead 66 Injured
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Turk Islamic Radical Leaders
Battling Military Secularists
For Control of Turkey
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An effort is underway by Turkey's fundamentalist Muslims to take another step at removing Turkey's secular military leaders and pave the way for Turkey to become a Turkish version of Iran. More details, LINK HERE. If successful this could pave the way for Turkey to take on the role as Magog in Ezekiel's prophecies of a Magog invasion of Israel.
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