'Iran prepared for US miscalculation'

Seyed Mohamed Marandi, an Associate Professor at the University of Tehran and a regular commentator on various international news channels

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/219695.html

senior political analyst says while the recent spike in US and Israeli threats and allegations against Iran are “unlikely” to translate into an attack on the country, Tehran is geared up for any “American miscalculation.”

“The United States and Israel, along with other Western countries have repeatedly made military threats against the Iranian people, while the Iranians have never made threats of their own,” Professor Seyyed Mohamed Marandi told Press TV on Friday.

Nevertheless, the prominent political commentator added it's unlikely that the US would venture on a military confrontation with Iran, “Because even senior American leaders admit that the consequences would be highly detrimental to the United States and its interests.”

Washington and Tel Aviv have repeatedly threatened Tehran with the "option" of a military strike, based on the allegation that Iran's nuclear work may consist of a covert military aspect.

Last week, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey said the US military is ready to launch a military strike against Iran, if occasion necessitates.

"We are examining a range of options. I'm satisfied that the options that we are developing are evolving to a point that they would be executable if necessary," Dempsey said.

Dempsey's warmongering tirades came on the heels of the equally aggressive remarks by US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta that "no options were off the table" regarding Iran's nuclear program.

The Israeli officials have also recently stepped up their war rhetoric against Iran. On November 21, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned that "time has come" to deal with Iran.

Israeli President Shimon Peres also threatened on November 6 that an attack against Iran is becoming "more and more likely."

“The mere threats themselves are seen as inhuman and irrational; because of such American behavior, Iran has prepared itself for any potential American miscalculation,” Marandi asserted.

He added though the Iranians are firmly committed to the peace and stability of the region, “A look at a map makes clear that Iran has the ability to respond to threats throughout the region and beyond.”

“If there is no security for Iranians or for Iranian oil exports, then, in Iranian eyes, there will be no security for Iran's antagonists in the region,” the political analyst said.

On New Year's Eve, US President Barack Obama signed into law fresh economic sanctions against Iran's Central Bank in an apparent bid to punish foreign companies and banks that do business with the Iranian financial institution.

The bill aims to prevent refiners across the world from paying for Iran's oil. The European Union is also considering measures that would forbid its member states from importing the crude

Iran's First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi has warned that imposing sanctions against the country's energy sector will prompt Tehran to prevent oil cargoes from passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

“If they impose sanctions on Iran's oil, not even a drop of oil will be allowed through the Strait of Hormuz,” he warned.

Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari has also reiterated that Iran has complete command over the strategic waterway and that “closing the Strait of Hormuz is very easy for Iranian naval forces.”

“Under such conditions, the United States and its allies should not expect oil or gas to flow out of the Persian Gulf, northern Iraq, or Central Asia,” Marandi said.

“It would be a grave mistake to underestimate the Islamic Republic's military power and resolve as well as the region's popular response to yet another western act of aggression in a very unstable region,” the senior political analyst concluded.