Ali Jafari, Head of Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Vows Revenge On US And Britain

Times Online:

The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards today vowed to take revenge against Britain and the United States whom he claims backed the group that killed six commanders.

Read the whole story: Times Online

Comments

[knosiswar]

Is he opening the door for a military coup?

[ILuvBubbles]

Mistake number 1#, looking outside for an enemy that resides within your own community. I strongly believe this was a result of the last Iranians election. The people are strong and will not be strong armed by their government any longer. More to come in my opinion.

[polaris12]

You think it is so easy to muster up such high level explosives? Those kinds of things have to be supplied from outside. Who planted the bombs may be another issue.

[fbr79]

Are you kidding? The suicide bomber was wearing a suicide vest, There were no "planted bombs". You don't need high level explosives to get a huge boom, just some fertilizer, nitro, tovex, anfo...nothing hard to get; that why you have a daily display coming from that region.

[polaris12]

Who is likely to benefit from eliminating Iran's top military commanders? Could it presage an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities? Without key military leaders, a reply to any attack would be made more difficult.

[ILuvBubbles]

Nah, inside job. These people held titles and could be easily replaced (like most military). This was a message to the Iranian government by the Iranian people.

[polaris12]

You must be joking!

[polaris12]

@fbr79: Some Data from the Times of London: "Iran accuses the United States and Britain of backing Jundallah’s operations from Pakistani territory with Islamabad’s support, despite denials from the group. An outcry followed a 2007 ABC television report that alleged that US and Pakistani advice was given to Jundallah to help it in its attacks on Iran.

In 2008 the American journalist Seymour Hersh reported that United States congressional leaders had secretly agreed to President Bush’s $400 million (£245 million) funding request to give Washington a free hand in arming and funding militant groups such as Jundallah.

Meir Javedanfar, an Iranian Middle East analyst, told The Times that the success of yesterday’s attack could point to outside help. “It is possible that both are involved, since the British and Americans are involved in a tug-of-war in that region,” he said. “The fact remains that intelligence was of a better quality than in any other time. They managed to assassinate the deputy head of the Ground Forces. This is a huge hit for the Jundallah.”

The timing of the attacks, in the middle of delicate nuclear negotiations and on the eve of the next meeting, will convince Tehran that the West is closely involved. “It is a sign of weakness for Iran. The West has influence with this group and it is something they can use in talks with Iran,” he said."

[Khirad]

Are any of you suspicious of the US, and Britain (who has once again ascended to past status as Great Shaytan) - fantastic!

But, Mohammad Ali Jafari's track record with the truth is pretty dismal -- not surprising, being a mouthpiece in effect for the Supreme Leader and conservatives. Uncle Napoleon in uniform.

Always ask yourself, what are the possible ulterior motivations for EITHER country's leadership to say what they do?

---
By the way, the other day on another thread I made the request for readers to familiarize themselves with the Baluch without providing a link. I do not support Jondallah (which should be separated from the larger Baluchi experience), I merely wish to offer some perspective and background:

http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE13/104/2007/en/160fb9c4-d370-11dd-a329-2f46302a8cc6/mde131042007en.html

Also, given the history Pakistan has had suppressing its own Baluchi's nationalist aspirations, I find it odd (not unconcievable, but odd) that they would be involved. I must say that sounds the most credible accusation, ironically, because it was so atypical -- 'marg bar Pakistan' isn't exactly stale rote propaganda.

[wereeverywhere]

What bleak conditions the Baluchis live under. And not content to leave bad enough alone, IRI further burdens them with:

From your Amnesty link:

A practice that has led to discrimination against Baluchis and other minority groups is gozinesh-- an ideological selection procedure that requires state officials and employees to demonstrate, among other things, allegiance to Islam and the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the concept of velayat-e faqih (Rule of the Jurisconsult),which is the political basis of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In law and practice, this process impairs – on grounds of political opinion, previous political affiliation or support or religious affiliation – equality of opportunity or treatment in employment or occupation for all those who seek employment in the public and parastatal sector (such as the Bonyads or Foundations) and, reportedly, in some instances in parts of the private sector. Access to further education may also be subject to gozinesh scrutiny.(16) Under gozineshrules, non-Shi’a Iranians are excluded from certain state positions such as that of President.

[wereeverywhere]

And what IRI's policy does in practice, or the joys of living under a theocracy: (once again form the Amnesty report linked by Khirad)

“"If a Baluchi wants to open a shop, he must first go to the government and get his political beliefs thoroughly examined by the Pasdaran [Revolutionary Guards] and the intelligence services. They ask: have you done anything for the Islamic Republic? Did you fight in the Iraq-Iran war? Do you believe in the Velayat-e faghih? Sunnis don't believe in the Velayat-e faghih -- it is against our beliefs, and because we don't believe in taqiyah,(17) which we consider to be lying, we must answer the truth. The result is that Sunnis don't get the permit to open the shop, they don't get jobs, they don't get places in the university - unless they agree to become informers for the intelligence services. Out of 5,000 students at Baluchistan University in Zahedan, there are only 10 or 15 Baluchis. Even the education law of the Islamic Republic says that 75 per cent should be Baluchis -- and now, 99 per cent are non-Baluchi. They treat us like the Untouchables in India.”"(18)

[Albert Amato]

Hmmm, it they are helping the Sunnis and maybe trying to disrupt Iran's nuclear plans, then I suspect they know economic sanctions will not work on Ahma madman and the Mullahs.

[CoronaDischarge]

Apparently they can't manage to spin it that there would be other Muslims prepared to strike at their leadership using tactics that they have no problem seeing unleashed on western societies or elsewhere in the Middle East.

With their own indirectly sponsored mischief coming home to strike at them in Iran, the irony likely is not lost on them. The reason that it might be used to undermine developed countries, they are just as vulnerable to. If nothing else it might remind them that they themselves are vulnerable to the risk and their own security is not enough. Who is to know if the next attack won't be further up the chain of command and the Supreme Leader or the President themselves may be at risk?

[MajorKong]

You act like this is a new thing.

Iraq supported groups like this against Iran (and vice versa) during the Iran-Iraq war. Some of these groups, like the MEK, are holdovers from those days.

[davidwayneosedach]

Iran does everything they can to undermine our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. And they are successful at it.

[alysheba 3]

American actions everything they can to undermine American efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. And they are successful at it.

[Horst]

Que idioma es?

[fbr79]

Unlike Iraqi and Afghani freedom fighters, who are extremely successful in their little objective of feeding the sky daddy some blood and bodies everyday.

[Horst]

You've got to hand it to the Baluchis...they were pretty effective.

[Ergon]

In the million strong revolutionary guard, I think the next tier of leadership will probably step up.

[Khirad]

That is a very high estimate, and would have to include every possible Basiji.

Your point stands though.

[joeinvt]

I am with you on John Belushi but Jim is not in the same league.

[Horst]

Agreed.....

[Khirad]

I usually save him for Albanian jokes. Besides, the 'ch' is as in 'chin', not a French pronunciation. (Forgive me for getting so serious on a joke)

[goodpyr]

Canhandlet­hetruth.So­unds like you're suffering from some serious dementia.

[indi1216]

Sick and tired of Iran blaming the whole world, live up to your own mistakes for once.

[lightningbolt]

The Iranians are getting a taste of their own medicine. If you terrorize people, prepare to be terrorized.

[JakeMontero]

yeah, karma suc.ks

[TheobaldLocke]

Of course they blame the US and Britain.

When it comes to the antics of Amadinejad and his cronies there is one phrase that keeps running through my mind: "Peace in our time"

[MajorKong]

Of course it does. EVERYTHING reminds you guys of "Peace in our Time".

Iran has a military budget roughly equal to Norway. Hardly a contender for world-conquering superpower status.

There are US States with larger air forces than Iran, which has a total of 84 aircraft, most dating from the 1970s.

[Hirnlego]

Hey. Don't bring facts into this.. :)

[Horst]

Remember they humbled the Royal Navy with a couple of inflatables...it takes very little to close the Straits of Hormuz.

[Albert Amato]

They have a huge arsenal of Shabaz ll and 3 missiles as well as a formidable Navy replete with new Russian submarines­.....don't count them out too soon,

[Horst]

The Baluchis tried to kill Ahmadinejad a few years back. I doubt Jafari will be heading down there any time soon.

[TinfoilLatte]

Doesn't Jundallah have ties to al-Qaeda and/or the Taliban? And aren't these two entities still "at odds" with the two countries named in this headline?

[MajorKong]

Has he called us part of an "Axis of Evil" yet?

[Khirad]

No, we're part of the "Arrogant Powers".

[trccommission]

This is a time-honoured Iranian tradition, look it up. Blaming Britain was popularised by a 1960's Iranian Tv show, it's like a gag - reflex, now the Great Satan is muscling in on the act. I'd liken it to Pat Robertson blaming Katrina on Gays and Abortions, it's ridiculous and it will blow over. That's not to say that the US and Britain haven't earnt their esteemed reputation in Iran.

[helonias]

Some causes that leads up to the 400 day hostage situation and why america is loved by the folks in the middle-east:

1949: CIA backs military coup in Syria, ousting elected government.
1953: CIA overthrows democratically elected Iranian government, placing the Shah in power. In 1951, Iranian parliament had nationalized the British Anglo-Iranian oil company. This popular move was spearheaded by the reformer, Mossadegh, who was elected prime minister shortly after. Britain and the US organize ruthless economic blockade. Shortly before the coup, the Communist Party calls a 100,000 strong demonstration to protest the US and the Shah. Nine hours of street fighting finally quells popular rebellion against the coup.

1954: Iranian oil re-privatized, with US and Britain in control. Popular opposition compels the Shah to rule through a reign of terror unrivalled in the region. US helps fund huge military and police build-up, and trains Savak, the notorious secret police. Amnesty International would write in 1976 that Iran had the "highest rate of death penalties in the world, no valid system of civilian courts and a history of torture which is beyond belief. No country in the world has a worse record in human rights than Iran."

[deepfreezevideo]

And it all ended a while back. We have NO operatives over there.
Not saying Iran's mistrust isn't justified, saying that they're clutching at straws on this one.
We couldn't pull it off if we wanted to and if we could we'd be aiming for Ahmadinejad himself and Khamenei.

[Hirnlego]

During the puppet regime..are you sure?

[trccommission]

Slight error, 1970's show, Uncle Napoleon it was called. It's been banned since the revolution, but remains popular to this day.