Iran warns of dire consequences for Saudi Arabia if they increase oil production to help the West
Iran today turned its attention towards its Gulf neighbours, warning Saudi Arabia that it would suffer consequences if they raised oil output to replace Iranian crude.
With the EU contemplating a ban on oil imports from Iran, for their refusal to halt nuclear activity, Tehran officials have told several Arab countries not to negotiate with the United States and Europe.
China’s premier was in Saudi Arabia on Sunday probing for greater access to its huge oil and gas reserves and Britain voiced confidence a once hesitant EU would soon ban oil imports from Iran.
Negotiations: Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, right, talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron, far left,
That follows British Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh where he discussed Iran’s position with King Abdullah whilst also requesting an increased output from the Saudi reserves.
Dead: Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan was killed in a magnetic bomb attack
Iran has been in turmoil following the fifth bomb attack in two years that killed 32-year-old Mostafa Ahmad Roshan in Tehran last Wednesday.
Ratcheting up the war of words with the West, the Iranians claimed that they have proof that the CIA was behind the killing.
They also sent a ‘letter of condemnation’ to Britain accusing London of having an ‘obvious role’ in the bombing.
Both Britain and the United States have condemned the killing of civilians. Israeli officials, in contrast, have hinted at covert campaigns against Iran without admitting involvement.
It said that the chain of assassinations began after British intelligence chief Sir John Sawers hinted in 2010 at undercover operations against the Islamic Republic.
Sir John was quoted at the time as saying that intelligence-led initiatives were needed to make it more difficult for countries like Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
He said one of the agency’s roles was to investigate efforts by states to build atomic warheads in violation of their international legal obligations and identify ways to slow down their access to vital materials and technology.
Killing: This is the car the Iranian scientist was sitting in when he was blown up by the magnetic bomb
The letter said the killing of Iranian nuclear scientists had ‘started exactly after the British official John Sawers declared the beginning of intelligence operations against Iran.’
The Iranian Foreign Ministry handed a letter claiming it had evidence the US plotted the scientist’s death to the Swiss Ambassador in Tehran.
Switzerland has represented American interests in Iran since relations were broken off with Washington shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution.
‘We have reliable documents and evidence that this terrorist act was planned, guided and supported by the CIA,’ said the note, according to Iran’s state media.
Tehran has urged the United Nations Security Council to condemn the latest killing, claiming it was carried out to undermine its nuclear ambitions.
General Masoud Jazayeri, spokesman for Iran’s Joint Armed Forces Staff, said: ‘The enemies of the Iranian nation, especially the United States, Britain and the Zionist regime, or Israel, have to be held responsible for their activities.’
Aftermath: The killing has sparked outrage in Iran, and state TV broadcast footage Saturday of hundreds of students marching in Tehran
While the Iranians insist they are merely trying to harness nuclear power for energy uses, the West and Israel says Tehran wants to build bombs.
Iran has threatened to close off the key oil shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz if new sanctions are imposed on its lifeblood oil exports.
Britain and other western powers have vowed to take military action to keep the channel open.
Senior US military officials said mine-sweeping dolphins would be the first line of offence if Iran carried out its threat to choke off the Strait.
The Navy-trained dolphins would be used to identify Iranian mines, according to retired Admiral Tim Keating, former commander of the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain.
The top U.S. military commander is scheduled for talks in Israel this week at a time when the U.S. is concerned that Israel might be preparing to attack Iran over its nuclear program.
On a mission: U.S. Army General Martin Dempsey will head to Israel for discussions
The Israeli Defence Ministry confirmed the planned visit Thursday by Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. It did not give his agenda for talks with Israelis – but Iran is expected to be at the top.
Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran to be an existential threat because of its nuclear program, missile capabilities, support for anti-Israel militants in Lebanon and Gaza and frequent references by its president to the destruction of Israel.
Israel has repeatedly hinted it might take military action if international sanctions fail to stop Iran’s nuclear development.
The U.S., Israel and other Western nations believe Iran is developing atomic weapons. Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
In talks: President Obama, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussed the Iran situation via telephone
Gen Dempsey’s visit will be his first official trip to Israel since he assumed command of the joint chiefs on September 30. His predecessor, Adm. Mike Mullen, made several visits to Israel during his four-year term.
On Thursday President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the Iran situation in a telephone conversation.
The Obama administration is concerned that Iran’s recent claim that it is expanding nuclear operations with more advanced equipment may push Israel closer to a strike.
The U.S. still hopes that international pressure will persuade Iran to back down, but the Islamic regime shows no sign it would willingly give up a project that has become a point of national pride.
The U.S. has led a series of economic sanctions against the regime.
On Sunday, Israeli Cabinet Minister Moshe Yaalon said he was disappointed that the U.S. has not expanded the measures to further damage Iran’s central bank and its energy industry.help-West.html#ixzz1jcx3E04Z
WarSclerotic 
January 16, 2012 at 4:08 PM
As long as Obama is in office, Israel will have to do it alone. The US will only respond if attacked and the response will be user friendly to the UN. Hopefully, there will be enough time to get this blasphemy out of office here in the States and replace him will real leadership.
January 16, 2012 at 4:48 PM
Steve….
What you say is my nightmare.
The hope that I’m hanging onto is that all this “disagreement” between Obama and Netanyahu is pure and simple disinfo. This to keep the Iranians believing they can get away with it and not expecting an attack in the next two weeks.
Netanyahu moved up the Likud primaries to Jan. 31 from a year later for no apparent political reason. My assumption has been that he did so to make the Iranians assume that no attack would come before then. This hysterical carrying on about the canceled exercise has the same feel to it.
It’s probably wishful thinking. But Obama’s no fool, and he wants a second term. His foreign police successes have all been “covert.”
Let’s hope that Obama is being sneaky and clever rather that a world-destroying dolt. I’m sure Israel is ready for either eventuality.
JW