Associated Press: Iran bans volunteers from fighting Israel

[Poll_Blind]

  This is from one day ago so it's not LBN. This is also before an Israeli strike earlier today on an Iranian television station in Gaza. Discussion about that military action can be found in this DU thread. I was searching for more information on the strike on the TV station when I came across this.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's top leader banned hardline Iranian volunteers on Thursday from leaving the country to carry out suicide bombings against Israel, but warned that Iran would assist the militant group Hamas in other ways. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's ban sought to tone down calls by allies of hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to toughen Iran's stand against Israel.

But it also exposed hidden rifts between the supreme leader and the president five months before elections in which Ahmadinejad, whose popularity has been waning, is seeking a second term. Hardline Iranian student groups had asked the government to authorize volunteers to go carry out suicide bombings in Israel in support of Hamas. The students began signing up after Khamenei issued a religious decree on Dec. 28 saying anyone killed while defending Palestinians in Gaza against Israeli attacks would be considered a martyr.

A week later, Khamenei's comments sharply contrasted his religious order.

"I thank the pious and devoted youth who have asked to go to Gaza ... but it must be noted that our hands are tied in this arena," Khamenei said on state television. He did not elaborate how Iran would help Hamas in other ways.

--snip--

  Do I believe it will make a difference? I'm not sure if anything will make a difference at this point. The article is more to show the conflicting relationship between Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

  War can help a politician seeking re-election, especially one with flagging poll numbers. And Ahmadinejad is up for re-election soon.

  So to RECAP:

:redbox: Our American President started war(s) in order to help him win another term.

:redbox: Israeli politicians are likely pushing the current conflict to gain status in the next round of elections.

:redbox: Iranian President Ahmadinejad is likely trying to whip up Iranian anti-Israeli sentiment...(wait for it)...also likely in order to gain status in the coming election.

   Now, if we can just get a few more countries to have upcoming elections, I think we've got World War III in the bag!

Be seeing you in the bread lines,

PB

[The Magistrate]

1. An Interesting Report, and Commentary, Sir: Thank You For Posting It

[Junkdrawer]

2. Any new word on this Iranian aid ship heading to Gaza?

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=81228§ionid=351020202

[scheming daemons]

3. I'm curious... how do you BAN someone from committing suicide?

"Don't even ATTEMPT it, or we'll kill you!"

[Gwendolyn]

4. Religious leaders fire up and hose down when needed. No threat of death necessary.

Do you not live in the US? We see it every day.

Well deserved points to the Ayatollah in this case. Interesting article.