Iran crumples US commanders’ threats

Iran’s army chief has brushed aside recent warmongering remarks by US military commanders, describing them as crude and unsophisticated.

“Despite conceding, repeatedly, that any military standoff against Iran would be dangerous and destabilize the whole region for the United States, they (US commanders) continue making crude remarks about Iran’s peaceful nuclear fuel facilities,” Chief of Staff of Iran’s Joint Armed Forces Hassan Firouzabadi said Thursday.

“Although some of them are cautious about their statements, but they lack necessary awareness in their comments,” he added.

Firouzabadi’s blistering remarks seem to be in response to recent threats by the Head of US Central Command, David Petraeus, who warned of a series of ‘contingency plans’ in dealing with Iran’s nuclear program.

In early January, Petraeus told CNN that in addition to crippling sanctions and international diplomacy, Washington is considering “contingency plans” against Iran’s nuclear installation in parallel.

The top figure in Iran’s military, however, hailed Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi’s Tuesday comments about the US fleet converging on the Persian Gulf, describing them as a logical response to such threats.

The Iranian defense minister had warned that the Western warships stationed in the Persian Gulf against any military attack on Iran.

Firouzabadi advised the US commanders to carry out consultations before making comments on potentially volatile and sensitive issues. “The politicians’ statements may not cost them dear, but the military men are expected to avoid making crude and emotional remarks,” he observed.

The United States and its allies accuse Iran of being after nuclear weapons, a claim vehemently denied by the Islamic Republic. Iran, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, says its nuclear activities are peaceful in intent and under the full supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Yet, the US and Israel say military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities remains an option. Iranian officials, however, say they will deliver a “crushing response” to any military action against the country.