Middle East News
Iranian missile test only furthers isolation, US says
Jul 9, 2008, 14:56 GMT
Washington/Toyako - The United States condemned Iran's long- range missile tests on Wednesday, saying they were 'completely inconsistent' with its international obligations and further isolated the Islamic country.
'The Iranian regime only furthers the isolation of the Iranian people from the international community when it engages in this sort of activity,' White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in a statement on the sidelines of the Group of Eight nations summit in Japan.
'Iran's development of ballistic missiles is a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and completely inconsistent with Iran's obligations to the world,' Johndroe said.
Iran ratcheted up tensions in the region earlier Wednesday, launching nine long-range missiles capable of striking Israel and US military forces in the Gulf, state media reported, as a warning to 'enemies' that would threaten Tehran.
'I call on the enemy to be careful with their policies as we are watching them wherever they are,' said General Hossein Salami, commander of the air wing of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guards.
The tests come as the United States is working to resolve differences over a possible missile defence system in Eastern Europe, which is primarily designed to counter a possible Iranian threat.
The US and its allies in the UN Security Council have also offered a 'package of incentives' to Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities, which could potentially lead to the development of a nuclear weapon, Johndroe said.
'They should also refrain from further missile tests if they truly seek to gain the trust of the world,' Johndroe said.

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The IAEA, UN, and US HYPOCRISY...margeJul 9th, 2008 - 17:14:58
Funny that Iran is being condemned by all for staging its missile test but there was no condemnation or outcry of Israel for doing the same thing. Last month Israel staged a large military exercise that involved more than a 100 warplanes over distances they said they would need to cover to strike Iran. Both US and Israel reported Israel's action as a warning to Iran. Now, that Iran has responded to that warning in the most appropriate way, it is being condemning by all. If that's not hypocrisy and double standards, I don't know what is.
I say again. The IAEA, US, and UN are harassing and threatening Iran with sanctions over its legal right to enrich uranium out of fear that Iran is building nuclear bombs. So what if this is true? The US and many members of the UN have nuclear bombs and remain silence on credible information that Israel also has nuclear bombs.
Iran needs nuclear bombs to protect its people and sovereignty from enemies like Israel, which has a history of land stealing, terrorism, killing palestinians for land, violating the border boundaries of Gaza, Syria, and Iraq and bombing their properties, and starting numerous wars with its arab neighbors. Israel is now threatening to bomb Iran's nuclear plants to ensure it remains the only country in the Middle East with nuclear bombs. By contrast, Iran has committed no aggression or crimes against its neighbors to justify the sanctions and harassment imposed upon it by the IAEA, UN, and US.
Iran should pull out of NPT and stop cooperating with the IAEA, UN, and US entirely. Iran should never give up its right to nuclear energy or nuclear weapons regardless of the consequences, unless other countries give up their rights to nuclear bombs. The hypocrisy and double standards of the IAEA, US, and UN is ridiculous and should not be tolerated by any country!!!!
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