WH calls Iran remarks 'provocative' despite threatening them for weeks

[bigtree]

Wednesday, March 8, 2006; Posted: 10:36 a.m. EST (15:36 GMT)
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/03/08/iran.nuclear/index.html

VIENNA, Austria (CNN) -- The United States has dismissed Iran's comments that it can inflict "harm and pain" on Washington for its role in pushing for U.N. Security Council action over Tehran's refusal to halt its nuclear program.

"I think that provocative statements and actions only further isolate Iran from the rest of the world," White House press secretary Scott McClellan told reporters traveling with President George W. Bush to hurricane-affected states along the Gulf of Mexico, according to The Associated Press.

provocative statements . . .

Dick Cheney says that continued defiance by Tehran would bring "meaningful consequences" from the international community.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1726106,00.html?gusrc=rss

Bolton warned of "tangible and painful consequences" if Tehran does not heed international demands to halt uranium enrichment.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060306/pl_afp/irannuclearpolitics_060306000539

Maj. Gen. Axel Tuttelmann's, head of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force warned, "America and Israel have warned that they will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran. Both countries have plans of lastly resorting to air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities."
http://www.zaman.com/?bl=international&alt=&trh=20060307&hn=30542

[MadMaddie]

1. And the statements by Condi and Rumsfeld are just well wishes

for Iran!!!


They talk shit and when Iran talks back then it's a travesty!!! Looks like Iran called their bluff....

Is this the Bay of Pigs all over again?:sarcasm:

[JNelson6563]

2. Only we can talk like that

anyone else, sorry but that's unacceptable.

Oy. :eyes:

[Jackpine Radical]

3. It's an old tactic, known to every schoolyard bully.

Back your victim up to a wall, threaten him, wave your fists in his face, provoke him into doing or saying something hostile, use that as an excuse to beat the crap out of him, then tell the teacher it was self-defense.

[bigtree]

4. Lincoln once remarked:

"A highwayman holds a pistol to my ear, and mutters through his teeth, "Stand and deliver, or I shall kill you, and then you will be a murderer!"