US war of aggression on Iran by other means

By Stephen Lendman

Despite going along with the landmark JCPOA nuclear deal, Obama/Biden waged war on Iran by other means for eight years.

After the JCPOA’s unanimous adoption by Security Council members in 2015 — automatically making it binding international and US constitutional law — Obama/Biden breached it by imposing illegal sanctions and other hostile actions.

Biden/Harris are highly likely to breach the letter and spirit of the agreement when installed to replace Trump.

They’ll also continue unacceptable actions against the country and its people without letup — for fabricated reasons because legitimate ones don’t exist.

The Trump regime’s war on the country by other means continues intensely during its final days in office.

On Friday, Iranophobe Pompeo criticized Iran’s lawful right to enrich uranium to 20% for commercial and other legitimate non-military related purposes.

Its ruling authorities took this step because E3 countries Britain, France and Germany continue breaching JCPOA provisions.

Under the agreement’s Articles 26 and 36, Iran is legally permitted to increase uranium to a 20% purity level.

The Islamic Republic remains in compliance with its provisions as do Russia and China — in stark contrast to the US and E3.

Like time and again in his remarks, serial liar Pompeo was at it again.

He lied accusing Iran of “us(ing) its nuclear program to try to intimidate the international community (sic).”

He lied claiming uranium enrichment to 20% by Iran is a “dangerous” level.

He lied calling Iran’s legitimate uranium enrichment, research, production, and advanced centrifuges regional “intimidat(ion).”

He lied claiming its current nuclear activities are a breach of JCPOA provisions.

He lied accusing Iran of “stonewall(ing)” the IAEA nuclear watchdog.

He lied claiming Iranian enrichment of uranium to 20% purity “moves (it) closer to the ability to obtain a nuclear weapon” — what the US and world community know it abhors, banned, and wants eliminated everywhere before these WMDs eliminate us.

He lied accusing Iran of “dangerous gamesmanship” — a longstanding US specialty, along with its contempt for world peace, stability, and the rule of law.

He ignored US war on humanity at home and abroad. The same goes for NATO, apartheid Israel, and their imperial partners in high crimes.

During its final weeks in office, Trump and hardliners surrounding him are going all-out to harass and intimidate Iran by endless hostile actions.

Last week, two Pentagon nuclear-capable B-52 warplanes provocatively flew near Iranian airspace — the second time since November with likely more of the same coming.

CENTCOM commander General Kenneth McKenzie defied reality with the following remarks:

The US does “not seek conflict (sic). (It’s) ‘postured and committed to respond to any contingency or in opposition to any aggression (sic).’ ”

“Potential adversaries (sic) should understand that no nation on earth is more ready and capable of rapidly deploying additional combat power in the face of any aggression (sic).”

Both warplanes departed from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, remained airborne for 36 hours, and stayed near Iranian airspace for two hours before returning to home base.

The hostile saber-rattling action was polar opposite claims by US political and military officials of support for regional peace and stability.

At the time, an unnamed senior Pentagon official falsely claimed that US intelligence detected “planning” by Iranian supported Iraqi militias for attacks on US interests in the country.

Last Thursday, anonymous US officials escalated tensions by claiming “Iranian-backed” militias are in a “heightening level of preparations” to launch attacks.

No evidence was presented to support the accusation.

A dubious Pentagon report suggested “indicators of potential attack preparations.”

If unacceptable US occupation ended, its promises kept, no attacks on its forces would occur.

If violence occurs in Iraq between now and US January inauguration day, Iran will automatically be blamed — despite no likely evidence suggesting it.

According to a Middle East Eye report, Iran supported Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iraqi militia group, opposes Tehran’s weeks earlier call not to attack US positions in the country while Trump remains in office.

MEE: “Despite the explicit and strict Iranian directions, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, led by Qais al-Khazali, has carried out some attacks against the US embassy in Baghdad and American envoys over the past three weeks ‘without coordinating with any of the other factions or the Iranians,’ according to the commander of one of the armed factions.”

Last Thursday, two US military convoys in Iraq were struck by explosive devices south of Baghdad, causing considerable damage.

Pentagon forces long ago wore out their welcome never gotten as a repressive/hostile to peace foreign occupier.

Most Iraqis revile them, the country’s sovereignty never restored until they’re entirely gone — unwanted, despised and a threat to the country’s security, along with its Daesh and other terrorist proxies.

MEE said an unnamed “Asaib Ahl al-Haq commander” explained the following:

“The (uneasy) truce (with the US) was conditional on scheduling the departure of (its) forces from Iraq within one month…”

“(T)he Americans did not fulfill this condition and did not do anything to prove their intention to leave.”

The only option is making their occupation as uncomfortable as possible to force them out — lock, stock, and torment that remains as long as they stay.

‘A US show of force to deter Iran.’ Deter Iran from what?

"‘A Show Of Force To Deter Iran.’ And I

Stephen Lendman, born in 1934 in Boston, started writing on major world and national issues began in summer 2005. In early 2007, radio hosting followed. Lendman now hosts the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network three times weekly. Distinguished guests are featured. Listen live or archived. Major world and national issues are discussed. Lendman is a 2008 Project Censored winner and 2011 Mexican Journalists Club international journalism award recipient.

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