Iran Vows to Block Any Attack
At a commemoration of the start of the Iran-Iraq war, President Ahmadinejad told bystanders that Iran would stop its enemies before they could “pull the trigger.” This no doubt is a response to U.S., but especially Israeli, threats to preemptively attack Iran’s nuclear facilities if it does not cease its nuclear program. The parade included a show of weaponry that was specifically threatening to Israel, as missiles that put Israel within range were paraded through the streets.
Ahmadinejad continued his speech by calling the usefulness of UN sanctions into question. He claimed that the military power of Iran is sufficient enough to counter any U.S. or Israeli threat. Although, an attack on the U.S. is never mentioned, attacks on U.S. interests in the Middle East in general and Iraq specifically are deemed a necessary response to any aggression by Iran’s enemies, according to Ahmadinejad.
Posters with slogans such as “down with USA” and “down with Israel” add to the tensions in the ongoing battle over the Iranian nuclear program as the U.S. attempts to introduce a fourth round of sanctions.
Bridget Russell
