Iran will destroy Israeli cities if attacked: Khamenei

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Iran will destroy Israeli cities if attacked: Khamenei

DUBAI | Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:38am EDT

(Reuters) - Iran's most powerful authority said the Islamic Republic would destroy the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa if Israel launched a military attack against it.

"At times the officials of the Zionist regime (Israel) threaten to launch a military invasion but they themselves know that if they make the slightest mistake the Islamic Republic will raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said during an address, broadcast live on state television.

Israel has threatened military action against Iran unless it abandons nuclear activities which the West suspects are intended to develop nuclear weapons, allegations Tehran denies.

(Reporting By Marcus George; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/21/us-iran-khamenei-idUSBRE92K0LA20130321

[bemildred]

1. "War Against Blowhards", that's what we need. nt

[La Lioness Priyanka]

2. wouldn't you do that if someone attacked you?

i am no supporter of the iranian regime but this seems to be something any government would say. attack me and i'll destroy you.

[oberliner]

8. It's illegal to intentionally target civilians in war

Tel Aviv and Haifa are civilian cities.

[azurnoir]

10. aren't IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv?

that would by IDF's standards WRT Gaza make it a legitimate target

[sabbat hunter]

16. did israel threaten to

flatten Gaza city in its war with Hamas?


and what about Haifa which is a completely civilian city?

Technically the military HQ in Tel Aviv would be a legal target, but not the entire city. Just like military HQ in Tehran would be a legal target but not the entire city.

[azurnoir]

17. did Iran say if Israel attacks it first? and no Israel did not threaten before it bombed sites in Ga

yes no the course of action seems clear eh?

[sabbat hunter]

18. Israel is saber rattling over

attacking military targets. Iran is saber rattling about attacking civilian ones. Big difference IMHO.

[azurnoir]

19. still and none the less Iran if Israel attacked first

so Iran has no right to self defense in your mind ?

[sabbat hunter]

25. They have a right to self defense

and they can attack military targets if attacked.

Haifa is not a military target. Most of Tel Aviv is not a military target. The military HQ in Tel Aviv is a military target.

[azurnoir]

26. Neither Tel Aviv or Haifa are civilain targets IDF headquarters in TA, submarine fleet in Haifa

Haifa is where Israel's submarine fleet is headquartered seems Israel by the standards of its supporters here is using human shields

so you are saying that Iran has the ability to level Tel Aviv but that Israel will use restraint and make sure no civilians are killed or an 'acceptable' amount will be? But let's do keep up the hyperbole

[sabbat hunter]

27. I think historically

Israel has tried to keep civilian deaths to a minimum. If they had no regard for civilians there would have been FAR more civilian deaths in OCL. They would have just leveled Gaza city.


And there is a HUGE difference between having a military HQ in a city, and using a civilian building to fire rockets from (Which is what hamas, IJ et al do)

[shira]

30. It's obvious Iran is threatening to murder innocents & you're defending....

Last edited Sat Mar 23, 2013, 06:30 AM - Edit history (1)

...their inherent "right" to destroy or raze entire Israeli cities. In no way will Iran even attempt to limit civilian casualties. In fact, they're quite proud of the fact they are threatening blow up Israel's major cities.

How low can you go?

[azurnoir]

31. I haven't defending anything because nothing has actually happened

no Iran like Israel is 'talking tough' what I have done is point out some inconvenient facts though

[shira]

32. You're giving justification for it. The cities are legit military targets....

...in your view, so if they're razed or destroyed so be it.

That's exactly what you're defending.

Own up to it.

[azurnoir]

33. I posted facts you do not llike because you have used the same justifications for IDF targeting

schools, hospitals, mosques, private homes I am defending nothing but do feel free to make such accusations

[shira]

34. Oh bullshit. Iran isn't threatening legit defensive military operations....

They are threatening genocide.

Own up to your bullshit already.

[azurnoir]

35. Iran is threatening genocide? wow and in answer what should Israel do?

[oberliner]

36. "the Islamic Republic will raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground"

This means what to you exactly?

[azurnoir]

37. Iran is threatening to destroy 2 cities if it is attacked first by a nuclear armed nation

and that is genocide in your mind?

[oberliner]

40. It would be a crime against humanity

To deliberately kill millions of civilians in response to an attack on a military target.

[azurnoir]

41. at this point nothing has happened except saber rattling by both sides one of which is currently

in possession nuclear weapons and it is not Iran , now if Iran were to carry out such a threat which is quite doubtful then you might have a point, as it stands the point here and now IMO, is to raise ire against Iran and perhaps soften the attitude of those here on a proggresive site towards a possible future war with Iran

[oberliner]

42. Let's hope it stays that way

In fact, it might be better if the sabres stopped rattling.

[shira]

9. Should Israel destroy Gaza City the next time kassams drop into Sderot? n/t

[Scootaloo]

11. Don't you argue that they should? Gilad Sharon thinks so.

Remember our little ethics experiment, where you demanded the deaths of innocents? Where you defended the notion that any number of innocent lives are expendible to get one bad guy? Your constant arguments that Israel's mass bombardment of Gaza City, Khan Younnis, Rafah, and back in 2006, Tyre and Beirut, were all completely and utterly justified because Israel can do no wrong, and "they're exercising restraint because the US would nuke them!"

Isn't that your position, that this is restraint,


Because in your deranged and frighteningly genocidal mind, this is a more appropriate response?

[shira]

12. No, I didn't. And your attempt to portray Zionists as warmongering....

...rightwing evil bigots is getting old. Israel didn't even remotely destroy any cities in Gaza or Lebanon.

Get another act.

I'll take it as a complement that you're comparing me to the POTUS, who you claim is a supporter of Zionism and therefore someone who sees Palestinians as subhuman.

[Scootaloo]

14. Alright, fair enough - you haven't argued for total razing of cities. My bad, Shira

You just defend bombing the shit out of them, praise their "restraint" in doing so (indicating you think a much more devastating response than the one given is 100% warranted) and then argue that if the US were in Israel's position, nukes would be flying (Again implying you think this is a warranted response)

So no, you've never said "yay flatten cities!" - you just very strongly imply it.

So, my apologies.

[shira]

15. Still nonsense....

Why don't you simply ask me what I believe, defend, and praise rather than make up strawmen and knock them down? And fuck yeah, do you have any doubt the US would've nuked their neighbors several times were it situated where Israel is today and been under the same assault for the past 100 years?

[Purveyor]

3. IF 'attacked' it would be their duty to defend themselves, by all means necessary. Isn't that

what israel is always shouting?

[MrBig]

21. Not really

I think if Israel actually was shouting that, they would have leveled Gaza, West Bank, Syria, Lebanon and any other place where rockets, bombs and other attacks have come from.

The fact that they haven't negates your premise.

[oberliner]

22. What a disgusting, despicable comment

Deliberately targeting civilians is illegal and a war crime

That you think it would be Iran's "duty" to kill millions of Israeli civilians (among them countless Palestinian citizens of Israel) in retaliation for Israel attacking a nuclear facility is beyond words.

[Jefferson23]

23. That is exactly what Israel has done and worse. OCL 2008. n/t

[shira]

28. And here you guys are defending Iran's "right" to target civilians.

BTW, it's already been proven that Israel did not target civilians, and in fact did their best to prevent civilian deaths during OCL 2008.

[Jefferson23]

38. Iran is Israel's screaming meme and an empty one. Israel owns OCL lock stock and all, split

hairs all you want. You need human rights groups reports again, I am happy to post the links for you.

There's one on the anniversary too, from AI.

[idwiyo]

4. Don't see anything wrong with that statement. What else can they say?

[Jefferson23]

5. Obama said no and Israel will not proceed without a yes. n/t

[shira]

29. Obama is against all nuclear proliferation....

Last edited Sat Mar 23, 2013, 08:05 AM - Edit history (1)

You think POTUS will allow Iran to have the bomb, and therefore allow the rest of the mideast to start their own nuclear programs in an attempt to counter Iran? By doing nothing militarily to stop Iran, the President encourages and is ensuring nuclear proliferation....

So are you for nuclear proliferation or not?

[Jefferson23]

39. He has not given any green light, it should remain that way.

Only the insane would think it is a wise move for any strike.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

6. It would be wise for both sides to refrain from saber rattling.

Unfortunately, diplomacy doesn't help arms sales to Israel or Iran.

[oberliner]

7. Weird that he can say Tel Aviv but not Israel

Sticking with "Zionist regime" yet ok with Tel Aviv and Haifa.

[Fumesucker]

20. "Totally obliterate them"

[Jefferson23]

24. How quickly some forget. n/t