Why is Iran so quiet?

Iran, their nuclear program and their President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have disappeared from the news lately. Why? There must be a reason. Ahmadinejad loved the spotlight, so why is he so quiet? Perhaps the Iranians have nothing to complain about. Perhaps everything is going their way, so why make a fuss?

The Conservative Voice reports that Vice President Cheney has actually aided the Iranians:

Less than six months ago VP Cheney passed over in silence an explosive and detailed Saudi report on how Iran was creating a “state within a state” in Iraq, as follows:

WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (Reuters) – “Iran has effectively created a Shi'ite "state within a state" in Iraq providing both logistical support of armed groups and funds for social programs, The Washington Times reported on Monday citing a security report commissioned by the Saudi government.”

Cheney called for no DoD or CIA investigation. In fact, Cheney never referred to the Saudi report, then or ever.

Iran interpreted Cheney’s silence as consent, which it was, and pressed ahead with a military infiltration campaign in Iraq... [snip]

Cheney's next step is to open the World Bank's Iraqi projects to Iran. Wofowitz is in no position to resist Cheney's pro-Iran policies as long as Wolfowitz is fighting for his careeer.

For their part, the Saudis were furious with Cheney for his pro-Iran stance and his indifference to Iran’s dominant military and political presence in Iraq.

Go read all the background and details here.

Yesterday it was reported that U.S. and Iranian leaders have agreed to meet in Baghdad -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the U.S. decided to hold talks with Iran because the timing was right. Supposedly the talks are about Iraq, but how can you talk to Iran about Iraq only?

It will mark one of the very few formal diplomatic engagements between Tehran and Washington since Iran's 1979 revolution and the subsequent severance of mutual diplomatic ties.

The U.S. ambassador in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, is expected to represent Washington at the meeting.

Iranian legislators say the United States requested the talks, and they have implied that Iran is in the position of regional strength. At the same time, they have reiterated Iran's persistent distrust of the United States and its motives. They also wonder aloud what Iran might get in return for helping bring stability to Iraq. (Radio Free Europe)

What might they get in return, excellent question? Perhaps some freedom to continue their nuclear program? Go to RFE to read reactions from Iranians on the meeting between the U.S. and Iran.

Condi Rice has called for Iran to release U.S.-Iranian scholar Haleh Esfandiari who has has been detained under the authority of the Iranian Intelligence Ministry. Robert Levinson, former FBI agent, is still missing and presumed in the hands of the Iranians.

Ahmadinejad has invited Gulf Arab neighbors to send experts to inspect his country’s nuclear power plant. No word on whether that invitation has been accepted yet.

Iran’s nuclear plans are askew, according to Peace and Freedom blog

While maintaining the official fiction Iran was only interested in peaceful nuclear power, Mr. Mousavian reportedly told his own clerical superiors he favored “more ambiguity” that would take Iran to the point of being able to produce a nuclear weapon in a matter of months, but hold off on actually acquiring a deliverable nuke.

The Revolutionary Guards seem hell-bent on acquiring the ultimate weapon. One of their own former commanders, Mr. Ahmadinejad himself, challenges the Western powers with faits accomplis. [snip]

A scuffle in the mullahs’ nuclear wheelhouse? More than likely with the arrest on suspected national security violations of Hossein Mousavian, a former nuclear negotiator for the Iranian regime, and a diplomat widely respected by his Western European interlocutors. He is a former ambassador to Germany. (more)

Ivan Eland at The Independent Institute thinks "... threats and U.S.–led economic sanctions are painting the coiled Iranian snake into a corner."

“With two carrier strike groups in the [Persian] gulf, we’re sending clear messages to friends and adversaries alike. We’ll keep the sea-lanes open. We’ll stand with our friends in opposing extremism and strategic threats. We’ll disrupt attacks on our own forces. We’ll continue bringing relief to those who suffer, and delivering justice to the enemies of freedom. And we’ll stand with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region.”

Cheney also warned that a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq would enhance Iran’s influence in the Persian Gulf region. [snip]

The stark reality is that sooner or later, Cheney’s empty threats aside, the United States will be compelled to withdraw from Iraq, and Iran will likely gain influence in the region and probably eventually obtain nuclear weapons. A fitting banner for Cheney’s aircraft carrier speech would have been, “Mission Accomplished—For Iran.” (more)

Whichever view you take, one thing is fore sure. Iran has NOT changed their view of wiping Israel off the face of the map. The United States is meeting with Iran and negotiating with Iran -- while Iran wants to destroy Israel. What is Washington thinking?

See The Religion of Peace in Pictures and Islamberg New York at Blue Star Chronicles. Beth provides the following:

Iran, the 4th largest energy exporter in the world,
says it needs nuclear energy for “peaceful” purposes.
This recent picture from Tehran
suggests a different motive.
(photo courtesy of reader, Amazon Joseph)

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Comments

[Debbie]

Thanks Angel and Layla. I don't know why your comments didn't show up Angel. Probably typepad having problems again. I appreciate the effort.

[Angel]

I posted a comment and tb but dont see either Debbie?..

[Layla]

Thanks for coming by and visiting while my Internet was down. Bless Bernie--always there to bail me out!

Great post hun and I linked to it from DNN!