President Obama: Military Options On Iran Are Still On the Table

Obama Says ‘Military Options’ Still Not Off Table On Iran -- Al Arabiya

All options to stop Iran developing a nuclear bomb are on the table, including military strikes, U.S. President Barack Obama told visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, after the latter’s warning that Iran’s diplomatic “sweet talk” cannot be trusted.

“We take no options off the table, including military options,” Agence France-Presse quoted Obama as saying.

Netanyahu, meeting with Obama at the White House, insisted that Iran’s “military nuclear program” must be dismantled and called for maintaining or strengthening sanctions on Tehran.

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More News On President Obama's Remarks That Military Options On Iran Are Still On the Table

Obama, after meeting Israel PM, says 'no options off the table' on Iran -- NBC
Obama on Iran: We won't take military option off the table -- RT
Obama assures Israel that a military option on Iran remains on the table -- New York Daily News
US reserves right to take military action against Iran: Obama to Netanyahu -- Zee News
Obama on Iran: ’We Won’t Take Military Option off the Table’ -- Almanar
Obama reassures Israel over Iran talks -- Al Jazeera
US 'clear-eyed' on Iran nukes, says Barack Obama -- The Australian

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Iran's Hackers Are Targeting The U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy. Photo from Press TV

Iran's Hackers Are Still Chipping Away at U.S. Networks -- The Atlantic

Even as the presidents of Iran and the U.S. speak to each other (on the phone) for the first time since 1979, it looks like Iran hasn't given up its cyberwar against the U.S. According to the The Wall Street Journal, a group of hackers either working directly for the Iranian government or with its approval accessed an unclassified Navy computer network.

The paper calls the Navy hack "one of the most serious infiltrations" on Iran's part of U.S. networks, noting that officials don't believe the hackers stole anything significant. But, the action itself could speak volumes, demonstrating "a more potent Iranian hacking capability than previously believed," in hinting of the country's ability to access U.S. military systems. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey were briefed, as were members of congress, on the infiltration.

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More News On Iran Targeting The U.S. Navy

US officials: Hackers in Iran likely responsible for Navy computer intrusion -- Washington Post/AP
U.S. Says Iran Hacked Navy Computers -- Wall Street Journal
Report: Iranian Hackers Breached US Navy Intranet -- Defense News
Iran reportedly hacked into unclassified U.S. Navy computer system -- UPI
Iran-backed hackers infiltrated Navy computers - US officials -- RT
US officials accuse Iran hackers of breaking into Navy's computers -- Endgadget
US officials say Iranian hackers compromised Navy computers -- The Verge
Iranian Hackers Reportedly Compromised U.S. Navy Computers -- Ubergizmo

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A 'Close Encounter' Between A U.S. F-22 And An Iranian F-4

U.S. F-22 Stealth Fighter Pilot Taunted Iranian F-4 Phantom Combat Planes Over The Persian Gulf -- The Aviationist

Earlier this year, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little, said that an IRIAF (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force) F-4 Phantom combat plane attempted to intercept a U.S. MQ-1 drone flying in international airspace off Iran.

As we reported back then, one of the two F-4 Phantom jets came to about 16 miles from the UAV but broke off pursuit after they were broadcast a warning message by two American planes escorting the Predator.

The episode happened in March 2013, few months after a two Sukhoi Su-25 attack planes operated by the Pasdaran (informal name of the IRGC – the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution) attempted to shoot down an American MQ-1 flying a routine surveillance flight in international airspace some 16 miles off Iran, the interception of the unmanned aircraft failed.

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Update #1: Welsh: F-22 Flew to Drone's Rescue off Iran Coast -- Military.com
Update #2: Pilot's midair taunt straight out of Top Gun -- Stuff.co.nz
Update #3: F-22 Raptors Taunted Iranian Fighter Jets -- Robert Beckhusen, War Is Boring

My Comment: These close encounters may send a message to the other side .... but it is tempting fate.

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U.S. Prepared To Use Force Against Iran Over It's Nuclear Program

Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

Obama Says Iran Shouldn’t Misinterpret U.S. Response To Syria -- Washington Post

President Obama declared Sunday that the United States is still prepared to act militarily to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons despite the decision to pursue a diplomatic deal and not strike Syria over its alleged use of chemical weapons.

He also acknowledged his approach to the Syria crisis has been uneven, but defended it as producing the right results.

Obama spoke in an interview broadcast on ABC’s “This Week” with George Stephanopoulos,” taped Friday before the United States and Russia agreed on a plan to bring Syrian chemical weapons under international control in order to avoid military strikes.

But Obama said Iran should not interpret the diplomatic response — coming after he threatened to use strikes -- as suggesting that the United States wouldn’t attack Iran to stop the development of nuclear weapons.

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My Comment: After what happened in Syria .... will Iran listen?

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Iran Issues Military And Terrorist Threats Against The U.S. Over Syria.

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei. Fars News Aghency

Iran Threatens Widespread Retaliation Against US And Allies -- Daily Caller

Iran is ramping up its threats to the United States even as the American effort against Iranian client state Syria has ground to a crawl.

President Obama made his case to the American people and the world community Tuesday night that Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad must not be allowed to escape the consequences of using chemical weapons on civilians as the two-year-long Syrian civil war drags on.

Iran, a staunch ally of the Assad regime, is warning that any military action against Syria will cause a military and terrorist reaction on U.S. targets and allies.

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My Comment: On the same day that the U.S. eases sanctions to allow good-will exchanges with Iran .... Iran responds with threats.

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Iran Threatens Terror Attacks Against U.S. Targets, Officials, And President Obama's Family

Target: The American embassy in Baghdad was a likely target, according to unnamed U.S. officials quoted

Iranian Diplomat Warns That Obama's Daughter Will Be Kidnapped And Raped If America Attacks Syria

* Threats made by Alireza Forghani, former governor of Iran’s Kish Province
* Unnamed U.S. officials: American embassy in Baghdad is a likely target
* Officials did not describe range of potential targets indicated
* State Department: U.S. citizens to avoid all but 'essential' travel to Iraq
* Iranian message was intercepted in recent days
* It came from the head of the Revolutionary Guards' Qods Force

An Iranian strategic expert has warned that one of President Obama's daughters will be kidnapped and raped if America attacks Syria.

Alireza Forghani, also the former governor of southern Iran’s Kish Province, warned of mass abductions and killings of American citizens worldwide in the event the Obama administration launches a military strike in Syria.

'Hopefully Obama will be pigheaded enough to attack Syria, and then we will see the … loss of U.S. interests [through terrorist attacks],' he threatened.

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More News On Reports That Iran Is Preparing Terror Attacks Against U.S. Targets, Officials, And Their Families

Iran Plots Revenge, U.S. Says -- Wall Street Journal

Iran threatens brutal attacks on Americans, Obama family if US hits Syria -- Daily Caller
U.S. Intercepts Iranian Order for Attack on U.S. Interests in Iraq-Report -- Reuters
Report: 'Iran Plots Revenge' If U.S. Strikes Syria -- NPR
U.S.: Iran orders Iraqi militants to hit U.S. Embassy if Syria is hit -- UPI
US intercepts Iranian reprisal plot if Syria is attacked -- Times of Israel
Iran’s fury: Ready to unleash Hezbollah, kidnap Americans if U.S. strikes Syria -- Washington Times
Iran Warns of Reprisal for U.S. Action In Syria -- Atlantic Wire
Report: US intercepts Iranian order to attack American interests in response to Syria strike -- Jerusalem Post

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Statements Reveal Leaders In Iran Not Unified On Response If U.S. Strikes Syria

Iran’s Fury: Ready To Unleash Hezbollah, Kidnap Americans If U.S. Strikes Syria -- Washington Times

Statements reveal leaders in Tehran not unified on response

They’re weighing whether to order Hezbollah to launch rockets at Israel or target U.S. warships in the Mediterranean. Or they could send shadowy groups for suicide-bomb attacks against Israelis and Americans. Or, as one blogger has called for, they could try kidnapping families of American military officers in far-flung corners of the globe.

Or Iran may do nothing.

One thing, however, is clear: The debate over whether Congress approves the Obama administration’s plan to strike Syria for its use of chemical weapons is being watched nowhere more closely than in Iran, where the notoriously opaque political leaders are wrestling over whether — and how — to retaliate.

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My Comment: Contradictory statements from Iran is nothing new .... but when the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei states what should be the policy .... that is when everyone "toes the line". I expect the same thing to happen in this case .... if the U.S. does attack Syria, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will state publicly what Iran will do, and it is then that Iranian intent and reaction will become known.

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