Asia Times Report: 'Air Strikes Against Iran' Coming 'Within...Two Months,' Senators Categorically Deny Story

UPDATE: Aides to Senators Feinstein and Lugar have emphatically denied that airstrikes against Iran are forthcoming, and have added that no op-ed piece is in the works either. Via Raw Story:

"That story was inaccurate. Senator Feinstein has not received any briefing - classified or unclassified - from the Administration involving any plans to strike Iran," Philip J. Lavelle, the California Democrat's press secretary, wrote in an e-mail to RAW STORY Wednesday. "In addition, she has not submitted an op-ed to the NYT, or any other paper, on this subject in recent days. She has been a strong advocate for diplomacy with Iran, and will continue to be one."

Lugar spokesman Andy Fisher was more succinct: "No briefing. No oped. No conversations. No story."

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A story in today's Asia Times reports that the "Bush administration plans to launch an air strike against Iran within the next two months." The source of the report is a "retired US career diplomat and former assistant secretary of state still active in the foreign affairs community," who, speaking under condition of anonymity, asserted that "the U.S. plans an air strike against the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps," that would "target the headquarters of the IRGC's elite Quds force." [h/t ThinkProgress]

The source said the White House views the proposed air strike as a limited action to punish Iran for its involvement in Iraq. The source, an ambassador during the administration of president H W Bush, did not provide details on the types of weapons to be used in the attack, nor on the precise stage of planning at this time. It is not known whether the White House has already consulted with allies about the air strike, or if it plans to do so.

The same source asserted that a New York Times op-ed piece condemning the planned attack, co-written by Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN), is forthcoming, though, at the time of the report, neither were available to confirm via comment.

Comments

[BluesDogLefty]

This may be the only way for McCain to win.

He will support the attack--the White House say that they have concrete evidence of an imminent Iranian Nuke attack against the US, but they will not declare this until after the Dems have already committed to condemning the attack. And the American people will once again be manipulated by the right wing fear mongers.

[research]

Please, It won't work! Start a war with anyone Iran for instance, impeachment immediately.

[getoffmedz]

BluesDogLefty - the only way these wretched criminals infesting our government can remain in power is CONTINUOUS WAR.

Without continuous war, the Fake Republican Party is done this fall.

These attacks have been predicted here for years.

[Bella Liberty]

Voicing out to wipe out Israel from Middle East map quite often is like threatening and declaring for war. Also Iranian President has wide range of nuclear program and plan to create as UINN ( United Islamic Nuclear Hold Nations) also he is extremely anti American leader in the world and the Iran grave problems that defy easy solution or appeasement policy. Very near future Iran will succeed its nuclear program and will possess atomic bomb within 2 years from now. If Iran possesses nuclear arsenal then the next terrorists generation will attack on US by nuclear war head .
So who ever be the President of US should consider about that, wants to wage war on Iran before Iran possesses its atomic bomb or after atomic bomb ?
As a rule of a sane mind, we can not deny the fact every human being dislike war with disgrace but if situation up rise that can create war with no easy solutions avoid or solved by peaceful diplomatic mean, then the only choice left is to wage war until peace treaty was signed by warring leaders.
If Iran succeed its nuclear program the Middle East will heading to nuclear war or if war break out in Middle East Israel seeking to even use atomic weapon for first strike.

[BluesDogLefty]

We just had/have a preemptive war----turned out there were no WMDs.

At what point do we as a people control and deter our own government from becoming the aggressor you say Iran is.

For example---now think about this---if Iran attacked another country in a preemptive action and their evidence turned out to be totally false---what would you think???

[djthedj]

You are trying to reason with a person who is literally pissing his pants in blind brainwashed fear. Sad that Americans have become such disgusting little cowards! Terrorism is used to inflict terror, snivelling cowards like Bella Liberty have allowed them to do just that. You have a much better chance of being struck by lightning than to be in a terrorist attack but bed-wetting, cry baby republicans would rather bankrupt America and start WWIII than stand up and act like Americans. Pathetic!

[thebluestater]

There are some in the blogosphere that say that Jason Linkins should be tried for war crimes and executed. I say no. What do you all think? Do Jason's crimes deserve death? If so, then you boys and girls need to get the ball rolling! Do It!

[harriscrl3]

Considering what LITTLE faith I have in our current leadership I'm going with the ASIA TIMES story. SO I'll believe it until its proven false and even then I would still believe it

Carol

[BluGirlRedState]

I feel exactly the same. All they have done for eight years is lie and they have been grasping at any straw to give them an excuse to strike Iran. These people are so dangerous.

[Susanfrom29]

I've felt for a long time that this was the plan. What better way to get McCain elected and continue the cash cow that war has been for this Administration and all their cronies?

They simply must be stopped.

[jsarets]

""retired US career diplomat and former assistant secretary of state still active in the foreign affairs community," who, speaking under condition of anonymity..."

Why didn't they just say "Richard Armitage"? Would have been a lot more succinct and just as obvious...

[WorkingClass]

When this happens, I will hold the Democrats responsible. The people elected them to restrain this mad man. They didn't even try.

[shothot]

Apparently it's not aways easy to get a majority.

[BluesDogLefty]

Dude, Dems dont even have a working majority now that Leiberman is a "Rep"---blame the American people for not giving the Dems a majority in 2006.

If the Dems had 60 seats in the senate---then you could blame them---

[harriscrl3]

Exactly why I HATE democrats even though Im one I dont feel like they have good leadership or backbone. They allow the republicans to walk all over them. If Bush was a democratic executive and republicans were in charged he would be IMPEACHED. There is no doubt in my mind and I cannot understand why the democrats have not impeached Bush. I think it sets a DANNGEROUS precedent for our country they are going to be other imperialistic leaders like bush thats why its IMPORTANT that they make an example out of him. Nobody should be above the constituion not even Bush.

Carol

[jsarets]

I can sort of see Dennis Kucinich duct-taping himself to a B-2 bomber in protest and ranting about how it's impossible to remove the adhesive residue without harming the stealth coating.

[lthuedk_1]

Admiral Mullen wants to keep politics out of military decision making. I agree.

However, if an order violates morality, the law, or military code of conduct, it should not be obeyed. No commander wants to be on or associated with the now historical Neo Con short list except maybe General Petraeus and his surrogates.

http://www.light-to-dark.com/the_petraeus_insult.html

[BluesDogLefty]

Petraeus was plucked out of obscurity and is about to be promoted to Uber General---quid pro quo.

He is not a general--he is a politician in a uniform, which is disgusting.

[RaraAvis17]

How in the hell do we stop this madness? We all know this cannot happen no way - no how or even as we know it today will no longer be the norm. This is absolutely the most horrendous thing that they could do at this point. Would someone please explain to me the reasoning behind this? I am serious I do not understand the reasoning behind the wanting to go to war with IRAN. We do not have the military personnel for Iraq. Does this mean every Chicken Hawk in America will have to step up?

[ofbbg]

You're absolutely right - we should wait and talk until they've built nuclear weapons and attacked, oh say, Israel or New York or Chicago. That way we'd really have justification to act.

[MajorKong]

A Shahab 3 missile has a range of maybe 1300 miles. They'd have a tough time hitting Chicago with one. Maybe if they duct-taped two of them together....

[RaraAvis17]

You are just as ignorant as the idiot in the White House - Stop watching FAUX NOISE with all their scare tactics and intimidation. I can't believe people like you exist. Well get your boots ready CHICKENHAWK you're going to IRAN.

[mcole]

i suppose if your country ass was president you would want to bomb everybody just in case init guv......non-winner

[lthuedk_1]

I'm sure people like Limbaugh, O'Reilly, and Coulter reject chaos, irrationality, and hatred, and want nothing but order, calm, and patience in all matters Iran.

So, I'm counting on Rush to lower levels of support for comrade Hillary. The same goes for Ms. McCarthy who now has compassionate, non-violent solutions for everything, even the Liberal Problem, and Benevolent Bill who wants nothing more than to build durable bridges of dialog and understanding between rational minds of differing views. He knows real intellectual growth never happens in a state of anger or a vacuum.

Transcending extremism's din and creating bonds between polarized Americans is what these great Americans want. Naturally, these icons of peace, fairness, and freedom just want the nation whole again, and wish with all their hearts that the agents of chaos be forever shamed to silence.

http://www.light-to-dark.com/coulter_limbaugh_oreilly.html

[RaraAvis17]

You could have put a warning on that link! My god, my eyes... ;O)

[lisakaz2]

Asia Times has a lot of credibility in my book. Didn't we see stuff on the Iraq invasion some months beforehand while Bu$hco was still denying it?

The time to prevent this, Congress, is NOW!

I cannot imagine that Russia or China will take this all too kindly.

[2liveNdie]

I can see this happening.

1) By initiating an air strike campaign against Iran and mainly insurgent stronghold and bases bordering Iraq by their way of thinking will give an edge to McCain with his so called experience.

2) By attacking Iran and with a McCain to defeat to Sen.Obama, they the Republicans will hand the problem to Obama's cabinet with severe damage for diplomacy and direct talks with Iran!

Lord help us!!!

[WilliamGossett]

With due respect to Senators Lugar and Feinstein -

Oooh Yes it is! We wil be blasting Iran within two to three months - at least from the air.

[research]

You hear that Pelosi?

You have less then 2 months to stop this madness and

Impeach!

[lisakaz2]

I wonder if she's put impeachment back on the table even then? Or if she'll ever admit to her big mistke in making that announcement to begin with.

[TekBoss]

Th White House will deny it right up until they do it.

IMPEACH NOW! (But Cheney frist).