So we admitted (again) today Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons.

[Puregonzo1188]

The US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta had this to say:

"I think the pressure of the sanctions, I think the pressure of—diplomatic pressures from everywhere—Europe, the United States, elsewhere—is working to put pressure on them, to make them understand that they cannot continue to do what they’re doing. Are they trying to develop a nuclear weapon? No. But we know that they’re trying to develop a nuclear capability. And that’s what concerns us. And our red line to Iran is, do not develop a nuclear weapon. That’s a red line for us."


http://www.democracynow.org/2012/1/9/headlines#7

So can someone explain to me what all the saber rattling is about?

[villager]

1. Pleasing the true owners of our government -- and both political parties?

[xchrom]

2. it's the old 'follow the money'...

who benefits from all this sabre rattling...fear mongering...etc?

northrop...boeing...haliburton...the usual suspects.

and if there really is a conflict -- well let the dollars flow, baby!

[Cali_Democrat]

5. Yup. n/t

[Starry Messenger]

4. Maybe it's reverse psychology.

We actually want them to develop a nuclear weapon so we can invade them and this is our way of goading them into it.

Honestly, I don't know. The war talk stresses me out. My boyfriend has relatives there and we just can't afford another goddamned war. If there are trillions of dollars sitting around doing nothing, then they should be poured into a massive jobs programs here.

[DeathToTheOil]

6. Shhhhh! You're gonna RUIN a perfectly good war!

[wiggs]

7. Next we'll be saying they have to 'prove' they aren't developing a

nuclear weapon. And that if they give us the proof but it's not in English it doesn't count. And even if UN inspectors find no evidence of a nuclear weapon program it doesn't mean anything.

And...even if they don't have weapons, the world will be better off with regime change.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Paging Colin Powell.