Iran threatens suicide attacks against the US
posted at 10:45 am on October 30, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Iran stepped up its rhetoric against the US today by threatening to use suicide-bomber attacks against America. Ari Larijani, the former nuclear negotiator, referred to the 13-year-old boy sent by the mullahs to disable an Iraqi tank in the 1980s as a model for the fight against the Americans. Larijani promised an “unexpected response”:
Referring to the US army’s attacks in Pakistan and Syria, Larijani said they would not be answered with diplomatic protests.
“The US method and conduct, expressed by this aggression, will only be stopped by a clear-cut and unexpected response, whose grounds were set by the martyr Hussein Fahmida,” Larijani said during a parliamentary session on Wednesday.
Fahmida was 13 when he detonated an explosive device he carried on him, destroying an Iraqi tank during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.
“America should be aware not to put its huge body on top of the suicide bombers’ explosive devices,” Larijani said.
Larijani was not alone yesterday in Iranian verbal volleys against the US. Supreme leader Ali Khamanai spoke less literally when he warned nations who didn’t respect Iran’s independence that they would “have their hands cut off”. Khamanai said that reconciliation between Iran and the US would not be possible because Iranians hate America too much, presumably because of our opposition to the ruling mullahcracy and our support of the Shah — although the latter occurred before most Iranians were alive.
The threat to use suicide bombers marks a cassus belli, if the US wanted one as a pretext for strikes. Openly threatening attack on a non-belligerent nation gives that country a right to defend itself. Israel didn’t take the bait with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s genocidal lunacy over the last two years, and it would be madness to attack Iran now anyway.
However, that doesn’t diminish the seriousness of an Iranian leader standing in its parliament and endorsing terrorism as a state policy. That’s exactly what Larijani did in this statement today, and the US should respond by placing Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on the list of terrorist organizations in order to freeze its funds. The Kyl-Lieberman bill would have done that last year, but it was opposed by Barack Obama and most of the other Democrats in the Senate. Larijani’s threat is an open declaration of Iran as a terrorist state, and a lack of response would encourage others to follow suit.
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How long before the Demcorats say this is Republican fear tactics?
Reaganite84 on October 30, 2008 at 10:49 AM
But President Obama will talk them out of it.
Hey ED: check with Laura Ingraham’s producer to get the audio of Laura’s interview with Anita Moncrief, the former ACORN employee.
carbon_footprint on October 30, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Is this that small, non-threatening country Obama was talking about?
sdd on October 30, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Go talk some sense into them Barry.
marklmail on October 30, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Thats not the Iran that I remember!!!
Team O must be ringing their hands over this one! A week out and a nice new international crisis to deal with?
And from someone who Obama wants to sit down and have tea with? Oh not good!
Of course its all a drummed up event by Republicans to make people vote for McCain right? w/E!
HoosierCon on October 30, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Are you saying Iran isn’t belligerent?
MadisonConservative on October 30, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Iran’s not a threat. Let’s just sit down and talk to them without pre-conditions, give them a big group hug, and sing a few choruses of “We Are The World” and everything will be OK.
vcferlita on October 30, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Will the MSM bury this for fear of giving McCain a boost?
Of course, if Obama wins next week Iran won’t have to bother with suicide attacks – he’ll do the job for them.
EnglishMike on October 30, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Preconditions? We don’t need no stinking preconditions!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 30, 2008 at 10:52 AM
This is the 2004 version of the OBL tape that dropped before the election. MSM will bury it until Nov. 5.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 30, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Barry! Get on the damn phone and talk to the man!
BacaDog on October 30, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Hmm.. for some odd reason this story (and the Syrian attack) isn’t getting much play on the MSM…
Skywise on October 30, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Obama has already taken action against this hostile threat.
1. He has written a letter to Ahmie
2. He has instructed all American citizens, if approached by a suicide bomber do not panic, simply say in a pleasant tone “Please don’t hurt me” or “Present”.
fogw on October 30, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Rove, you magnificent bastard!
NoFanofLibs on October 30, 2008 at 10:54 AM
The way I read it I think he’s saying it’s the US that isn’t belligerent.
EnglishMike on October 30, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Oh, fantastic. Maybe this will be one of those generated attacks Biden talked about?
Mommypundit on October 30, 2008 at 10:55 AM
vast right wing consipracy perhaps?
SDarchitect on October 30, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Saying whatever they can say to make the price of oil go back up!
mcptek on October 30, 2008 at 10:55 AM
They are a little country which is no threat to us.
I think Odummy should agree to meet with Ahmadinejad right now, no preconditions, and try to find common ground on which we can base a meaningful and trusting relationship of shared goals and values which will put people first and allow us to open lines of communication in this great world between peoples of all nations in order to create understandings of compromise and hope and mumble mumble mumble….
*buzzing sound*
Bishop on October 30, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Give peace a chance - Sure.
TooTall on October 30, 2008 at 10:56 AM
If Barry won’t call him up to talk to him, the least he could do is send him a letter.
revolutionismyname on October 30, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Dinnerjacket: Bullying powers near collapse
Hey! Dinnerjacket is in favor of social justice, too. Which one of the candidates has made a career of trying to implement social justice? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm……
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 30, 2008 at 10:57 AM
If, God forbid, Iran did manage to make some suicide bombings happen, what would Obama do? He would ask Americans to think what is with them that the Iranians feel so compelled to bomb them.
promachus on October 30, 2008 at 10:57 AM
I’m sure Barack will give the Iranians a much deserved tongue lashing and make everything all better.
We’re so lucky.
/
Geronimo on October 30, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Obarfy couldn’t be reached for comment, he was busy gazing in the mirror.
Bishop on October 30, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Obviously this is all the fault of George W. Bush. Dear Leader Obamassiah will sit down with Ahmadinejad and over tea and cookies promise not to support Israel anymore. Rashid Khalili will be there to witness it. Of course the LA Times won’t release that videotape either.
rbj on October 30, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Literally it does not…but surely it can be used to justify a more aggressive stance. However, one must take into account 2 things when analyzing the more antagonistic Iranian rhetoric as of late:
a) Iran is an oil price hawk…who’s state budget requires $100 a barrel oil to stay solvent and afford all those public works that keep Iranians from revolting.
b) The little man running that country is on his way out…and as his power wains the Mullahs will fill the gap with their rhetoric. This is not a situation that can last, however. Sooner rather than later someone else will take a lead role and there is the POTENTIAL for numerous new Iranian stances from a new leader.
I understand this tone requires a more hard-line American response…but in analyzing it one MUST take into account other factors and circumstances…like the regime’s imminent collapse if commodity prices do not pick up.
ernesto on October 30, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Well I see that, but then he says that it would be lunacy to attack Iran now. Why? Just because of the election? Does any right-minded person think that if suicide bombers start showing up and killing people that it was somehow “lunacy” to take steps to prevent it during an election?
MadisonConservative on October 30, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Nor the wall street bump…or the face that, already, small business owners are FREAKING OUT about Obama’s tax plan, and that Wall Street bumps when McCain goes up in the polls. Hmm.
There hasn’t been a LACK of foreign crisis news…but people do not have the patience for it and are worried only as far as their immediate needs are concerned. Now, suicide attacks WITHIN the US might rouse a few people.
The fix has ALWAYS been in.
Mommypundit on October 30, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Quick! Quick! Somebody talk to those guys!! Employ empathy, sympathy, apathy button in 3, 2, 1…
tree hugging sister on October 30, 2008 at 10:59 AM
why? better to attack them now, before they have a nuclear weapon, don’t you think?
right4life on October 30, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Question. The. Timing.
That sounds about right.
SlimyBill on October 30, 2008 at 10:59 AM
But I thought Obama would have the United States out of Iraq and peace would rule the world.
Angry Dumbo on October 30, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Talk and threats are one thing. However, if Iran ever dared to launch one suicide attack against the U.S., I would hope our leaders would have the onions to turn Iran into a large sheet of glass. This crap must never happen again, ever! A second attack and Mecca would be gone. Exteme, you bet, but force is all these retards understand.
GFW on October 30, 2008 at 11:02 AM
We’re gonna spread happiness, we’re gonna spread freedom!
You wanna know how to get Larijani? They pull a knife, you sing a song. He sends a 13-year-old with a bomb strapped to his chest, you send a room of kids in matching blue T-shirts.
saint kansas on October 30, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Good old Iranians. I guess this how the Iranians handle their economic policy when the price of oil collapses.
We will take our children and blow you up. Yes, lets sit down with these thugs.
Lance Murdock on October 30, 2008 at 11:02 AM
What the heck is it about these wacked-out Iranian yoohoos that seem so insistent on wanting to do themselves in? Must be something in the water out there.
pilamaye on October 30, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Sounds like a job for Chatty Barry™. Get in there and blather in their general direction, Obama! Make sure to bring your trusty TelePrompter though, you don’t do so well without that
crutchsidekick.Gilda on October 30, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Maybe Obama should ask his Middle East adviser Ray Mabus how he, “Obama” would handle this situation.
.
Nostradamus fans should find the name “Mabus” pretty interesting. Just saying, Google it.
abinitioadinfinitum on October 30, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Whatever happened to Bush’s claim that if you support terrorists, harbor terrorist, aid terrorists, you ARE a terrorist and will be dealt with accordingly?
Why are we letting Iran get away with this? They’re aquiring nukes, they’ve intimidated our warships, and they constantly threaten force against the US. Iran, we know, supplies and trains insurgents who kill US troops in Iraq.
What the heck are we waiting for?
JetBoy on October 30, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Isn’t “Preparations” the Secret Service code name for Chuck Norris’ fists? That being true, I’m on board with “tough, direct diplomacy” based on “preparations” with Iran.
Flyover Country on October 30, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Come on Iran, keep them coming. It’ll help McCain for sure.
ballz2wallz on October 30, 2008 at 11:04 AM
After this announcement, it really sucks to be the guy on the Iranian speedboat that comes too close to one of our vessels…
innominatus on October 30, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Iran already supports bombing against US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. We frequently catch their agents and intercept their ordanance coming into these countries. Their puppets in Hezbollah help train bomber recruits from Iraq in Iranian training camps. By making these threats, are they trying to imply that they are not doing these things now or are they merely saying they will use Iranians as suicide bombers instead of Iraqis because they cannot recruit enough of them anymore?
KW64 on October 30, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Forest… trees….
Iran’s economy is just about to collapse, because of the decrease in oil prices. They cannot sustain even basic services without a large infusion of cash… and they have already spent money (contracts) they no longer have to beef up their military, and in foreign adventures.
They HAVE to create an outside threat, or they will soon have an insurrection on their hands.
Best thing we could do right now? Laugh and make fun of them. Don’t ignore them, dismiss them.
IF they pull the trigger first, then hit their Nuke plants, and economic infrastructure… but don’t talk seriously to them first…
Romeo13 on October 30, 2008 at 11:04 AM
That didn’t take long!
I figured the low price of oil would bring terrorism threats to jack the price back up. We can count on Iran to keep oil as expensive as possible, by any means possible.
NeighborhoodCatLady on October 30, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Let’s see.
*
Untested, Naive in world affairs, Anti-military, Muslim past, Friends bombed Capitol and Pentagon - killed cops, Radical black church, Marxist agenda, Anti oil, Pelosi-Reid are best buddies. What could POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
marklmail on October 30, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Hey news is McCain might bounce back. pffft I don;t have faith in the data that says he’s losing in the first place.
Well, its all about voids and fills. We leave Iraq, Iran says… oh goody the store was left unlocked, lets go in and loot it.
johnnyU on October 30, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Wasn’t that the Bush “doctrine” or do I just not know what I’m talking about? :)
abinitioadinfinitum on October 30, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Has ACORN had a chance to register said suicide bombers to vote prior to detonation?
Because otherwise, the Obama campaign is missing a real opportunity here.
NoDonkey on October 30, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Even the Iranians know this, but Teh One doesnt.
BohicaTwentyTwo on October 30, 2008 at 11:07 AM
I don’t know, but West Viriginia has stated that they WILL prosecute federal election law violations.
From HillBuzz:
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 30, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Can anyone, anywhere imagine a scenario where Obama would bomb Iran?
The sad truth is that our enemies are emboldened by our current financial perils. A few random suicide bombers in the US could send the economy into a historic tailspin.
With no fear of repercussions, some evil dooers will feel the need to strike while the iron is hot.
Or these could just be idle threats to increase the oil prices…
Dorvillian on October 30, 2008 at 11:09 AM
The Iranian people don’t hate Americans. Iranians are one of the most PRO-western populations of any in the Middle East. Iran’s populations is young, and the Revolution has very little significance for most of them. They are nationalistic, though, and one of the ways Iran keeps them in check is by fanning flames with the U.S.
Reconcilliation between Iran and the U.S. may not be possible because Iran’s leadership hates the U.S. and Israel, not the average Iranian on the street.
BadgerHawk on October 30, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Boy, it sure would be nice to have control of our borders right about now, wouldn’t it?
——————–
BTW, 18 Million Democrats voted for Hillary Clinton in the primaries. Were they all raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacist?
gridlock2 on October 30, 2008 at 11:09 AM
The Michelle Obama tape - or at least the parts that don’t constitute a national security risk - is supposed to air today on Greta and Hannity, according to API. I guess we’ll see if it does or not.
API’s Chief Editor, Korir, says that M.O. said Kenya would be a secret go-between so that Obama could reinstate US trade with Iran.
Bush caught heck for defying the Oil-For-Food crooks who were raping the Iraqi people and rendering the UN impotent against Saddam. Sounds like Michelle Obama is saying Obama promises to make AMERICA the crook that undermines the UN’s diplomatic/trade pressure to control a crazy, murderous dictator thug.
No wonder Sarkozy is ticked off. Obama has talked out of both sides of his mouth to Canada, to Iraq, and (if this claim is true) about Iran.
As I said, we’ll see what comes of this. It might turn out to be nothing. But I don’t trust Obama as far as I could throw him (even though I’d like to throw him a long, long ways). While Obama was in Hawaii with what he said was his only grandma, Odinga was visiting Obama’s other grandma - the one who has said she was in the room when Obama was born in Mombasa, Kenya. Since then, the press is not allowed to talk to Grandma Sarah Obama until Nov. 5th.
justincase on October 30, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Hey Ahmadinejad, say hello to my leedle friend.
Shock and Awe Version 2.0.
Can you say “spider hole”?
fogw on October 30, 2008 at 11:11 AM
At the risk of repeating myself over and over these last several months regarding Iran:
Make it a parking lot.
D2Boston on October 30, 2008 at 11:11 AM
OFraud, Great High King of Duplicitousness, Defrauder of God Himself (Funds Be Upon Him) Decrees:
“Iran is a tiny country that poses no threat. I will meet with them without preconditions to inform Ahmadinijad that I am the only Great High King of Duplicitousness around here and I will not be denied. He shall recieve a letter whose words of sharpness will be like a thousand paper cuts.”
BKennedy on October 30, 2008 at 11:11 AM
If they have a copy of Michelle Obama’s “whitey” tape?
NoDonkey on October 30, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Iran is getting desperate due to lose of revenue, lose of oil money and the fact that people there do not like to work… but barter.
Bartering can get you what you want sometimes but you have to work to get better… which the Iranians don’t seem to understand.
And the example of using a 13 yr old bomb to disable an Iraqi tank… might make them rethink what they said. A very sad example for a very sick nation.
upinak on October 30, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Senator Biden? Comment?
Jim Treacher on October 30, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Better for the Iranians to wait to see if comrade barry is elected, start the suicide attacks, and time how fast he rolls over for the terrorists.
Blake on October 30, 2008 at 11:13 AM
heh
abinitioadinfinitum on October 30, 2008 at 11:13 AM
More from Supremem Leader……(their media)
Supreme Leader: US unable to dissuade Iranians from path of independence
Yeah. That’ll happen under a dictatorial regime.
Did Noam Chomsky or Bill Ayers help the Supreme Leader write his speech?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 30, 2008 at 11:13 AM
So this little Islamic Hitler supports Obama Hussein, yet works hard to get McCain elected?
Keep up the good work, Allah Runt.
Hening on October 30, 2008 at 11:14 AM
We are so screwed if Obama gets elected.
unseen on October 30, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Sings: “We hope you will join us, and the world will live as one.”
Aahh, that’s better.
Mr_Magoo on October 30, 2008 at 11:16 AM
OT: API is reporting that they have a deal with Fox News to release Michelle’s call to API
Take it with a grain of salt.
What has the rest of Dear Leader’s family been doing recently? Oh wait…..
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 30, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Barry: “Serenity Now!”
Mahmoud: “I kill you infidel!”
Mr_Magoo on October 30, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Now correct me if I’m wrong here as I’m no expert on tank armorment, but the protecive armor on the tanks Iraq had in the 80’s were nothing compared to the protective armor an Abrams tank has now so I seriously doubt a 13 year old (or an adult for that matter) could carry enough explosives to seriously damage an M1 Abrams. In fact I would think the only thing such a suicide attack would accomplish would be to waste the life of a 13 year old and require our soldiers to carry out the gruesome task of removing the poor kids body parts.
However I agree that such saber rattling from Iran constitutes a threat that deserves a response above and beyond tea and talk!
Liberty or Death on October 30, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Nothing that the judicious application of JADAM’s and Massive Ordnance Penetrators can’t fix. Surprise Iranian leadership decapitation strike for the win.
Dreadnought223 on October 30, 2008 at 11:22 AM
C’mon folks, think about why this is happening. You must look at the root cause - - BUSH. Once he is out, and Obama is in, Iran will be our ally.
Rick on October 30, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Now more than ever. I simply can not fathom the fact that our enemies have better secured borders than we do - and the fact that it is “alright” with the idiots responsible for protecting us.
Darbraun on October 30, 2008 at 11:24 AM
We’ll see how effective those strategies are when hellfires and 30mm HE rounds rain down on them.
Static on October 30, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Let’s see, ernesto…when was the Shah deposed? In the 1970s, right? The Mad Mullahs have run the show in Iran for 30 years so far. I think we’d better see them as pretty well established.
Too bad this didn’t come out while Osama Obama was preparing his infomercial. He could have included a sitdown with the Mullahs in which they got to whine about how bad things are for them, and promised them that he would make it all better.
Obama may not be a perfect president, but we’ll always know where he stands. That’s true: we’ll know he stands for whatever is bad and dangerous for America and its people.
MrScribbler on October 30, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Leftards like to ignore the fact that one of the reasons why we supported Iraq in the 80s because they were at war with Iraq, the country who invaded our embassy, held them captive for over a year, and killed our citizens. Both Iraq and Iran had children soldiers. Their cemeteries had streams running through them dyed red to symbolize, of course, blood. Those people love death.
Blake on October 30, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Gird your loins!!!
Obama has already sent this guy a text message
STOP THREATING 2 BOMB US …LOL
CanadianGuy on October 30, 2008 at 11:29 AM
For a group of people that have a documented history of being the world’s worst marksmen, these haji freaks sure do have big mouths.
DIRKA DIRKA!!!! ROFL!
leetpriest on October 30, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Some coffee just came out of my nose after I read this! :)
leetpriest on October 30, 2008 at 11:30 AM
I think this calls for a re-post of the new Hollywood-produced ad mocking Teh One:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nligvgv3Rfw
Let’s roll.
ex-Democrat on October 30, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Lead: it does a jihadi good
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 30, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Obama just said “this country is looking for change that favors common sense over ideology”. He’s RIGHT! And that’s why John McCain will be our next President of the United States.
Rovin on October 30, 2008 at 11:32 AM
We could have peace with Iran– we want to live in freedom; they want to explode themselves. Can’t we work out something where each side gets what it wants?
morganfrost on October 30, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Exactly, they’re so eager to see Allah (the one in the sky, not the one on HA), we can arrange for them to meet him today. Why wait?
Because being blown to smithereens by the infidel, surely qualifies as a reason to go to Muzzie heaven.
It’s a win-win.
NoDonkey on October 30, 2008 at 11:36 AM
they want the MAHDI…their messiah…and given Farakhan’s description of Obama as the messiah….
right4life on October 30, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Iran needs to be turned into a glass parking lot. Would eliminate a lot of the world’s problems.
GarandFan on October 30, 2008 at 11:37 AM
We’re safe until January 20th.
Terrorists have known for almost 8 years not to try anything here.
They’re waiting for a weak US government and they see their wait is almost over.
Thanks, democrat party!
jeff_from_mpls on October 30, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Wouldn’t any response by the US be interpreted by ernesto as further proof of America’s “bellicoseness”?
MarkTheGreat on October 30, 2008 at 11:40 AM
As usual, ernesto’s response to any action is to declare in a loud voice: “Please don’t hurt me sir”.
MarkTheGreat on October 30, 2008 at 11:43 AM
absolutely…then Ezekial’s scenario plays out…iran and russia invade israel…boom.
right4life on October 30, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Another empty threat. Doesn’t it happen every 3 months or so that some Iranian moron calls for the destruction of the ‘great satan’. /yawns
docdave on October 30, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Just think, Bill Clinton, appearing last night to urge the ignorant to vote Obama, will once again have blood on his hands should the threat materialize.
You’d think the Clinton crowd would have been humbled and chastened after 9-11-01, wary about ignoring terrorism and putting politics over national security.
Nope.
jeff_from_mpls on October 30, 2008 at 11:45 AM
The backlash! Isn’t anyone concerned about Americas Muslims?
BL@KBIRD on October 30, 2008 at 11:46 AM
It’s reverse Jimmy Carter. Then, Iran jacked us around all the way up to Reagan’s inauguration. Reagan was inaugurated and the hostages were on the first flight back to the U.S.
Now, no incidents until after an Obama inauguration, then God knows what.
Wake up toads who haven’t already thrown away a vote on Obama. It’s time to be grown ups.
BuckeyeSam on October 30, 2008 at 11:46 AM
It would be stupid to attack them *right* now.
But, if Obama wins, this might be the needed pretext for some kind of strikes before he takes office.
No idea whether there’s anything we could usefully strike, though. Probably not.
ClintACK on October 30, 2008 at 11:46 AM
In an Obama administration, defending against a suicide bomber will be—-wait for it—-racist.
Let’s roll.
ex-Democrat on October 30, 2008 at 11:47 AM
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