Iran's March of Madness

On March 5th, 2006 I posted my opinion that things were coming to a head with Iran. I have not changed my mind. I feel that something will happen before 2006 comes to an end. I could be wrong, of course, however I don't see any way out of this mess we are in.

Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made it pretty clear that they are hell-bent on continuing on with their nuclear quest. And any revolution, if it ever does take place, will not happen in time to put an end to their nuclear goals. I don't think we can afford to have a nuclear equipped Iran.

Captain Ed at Captain's Quarters posts that Iran is shifting to a war footing. According to the good Captain, Ahmadinejad gave an interview to the German magazine Der Spiegel that has yet to be published. Ahmadinejad makes "it clear that he sees European opposition to his nuclear program a threat, and returned one in kind. Speaking to the German magazine Der Spiegel, the Iranian president warned Europe that they will 'suffer the consequences' if they did not capitulate":

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned Europe that it should support his country's nuclear program or "suffer the consequences."

In an interview to be published in the German Der Spiegel on Sunday, Ahmadinejad also expressed his doubt regarding the Holocaust, saying that even if it had occurred, the Jewish state should have been established in Europe, not in Palestine.

Ahmadinejad is alternating between threatening the West and offering diplomacy, trying to split those countries who oppose their nuclear pursuit, purging high level government officials, and consolidating "power in the office of the presidency in a way never before seen in the 27-year history of the Islamic Republic....."

Then we shouldn't forget about Ahmadinejad's letter to President Bush. It should be interpreted as "yet another sign that the new leadership in Tehran is determined to provoke a direct confrontation with the United States in the hope that, plagued by internal problems, the Americans will either back away or be humiliated."

"Ahmadinejad's move fits into a 14-century-long Muslim tradition, initiated by the Prophet Muhammad himself, of writing letters to "the rulers of the world." In 625 A.D., having consolidated his position in Medina and established a secure power base for his rule, the prophet decided it was time to call on "the infidel" to abandon their faith and submit to Islam. He dictated letters to Khosrow Parviz, the Persian king of kings (a Zoroastrian), and to Emperor Heraclius of Byzantium and the Ethiopian monarch Negus (both Christian).

To each, the prophet's offer was simple: Convert to Islam and secure a place in paradise - or cling to your beliefs and face the sword of Islam."

"His letter contains a crucial message: The present regime in Iran is the enemy of the current international system and is determined to undermine and, if possible, destroy it.

It would be wrong to dismiss that message as the product of a 50-year-old teenager's folie de grandeur. Ahmadinejad believes that the "Hidden Imam" is about to return and that it is the duty of the Islamic Republic to provoke a "clash of civilizations" to hasten that return."

The letter closed saying,

We increasingly see that people around the world are flocking towards a main focal point -- that is the Almighty God. Undoubtedly through faith in God and the teachings of the prophets, the people will conquer their problems. My question for you is: "“Do you not want to join them?"

Whether we like it or not, the world is gravitating towards faith in the Almighty and justice and the will of God will prevail over all things.

And peace to those who obey the guidance.

In other words, it's a traditional Islamic call to surrender or a declaration of war.