* Finian Cunningham- Half of an older piece dated Oct.31/13 -Written just after the Saudi hissy fit but prior to France doing the bidding of Israel*Covered here: Israel and Saudi Arabia pressure France to sabotage Iran deal* h/t to kam nam: from Jerusalem Post rather then RT Mossad working with Saudis on contingency plans for potential attack on Iran *Breaking!: Motorcycle-driving suicide bomber targets Beirut’s Iranian embassy as twin attacks kill 23; Al-Qaeda-linked group claims responsibilityMotorcycle driving suicide bombers- How very Mossad like. Considering the massive interaction between Israel/Saudi Arabia and the terrorists mercs in Syria....... Saudi Arabia and Israel working together? Looks like it.
“Each of the terrorist attacks that strike in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq reek of petrodollars,” a Syrian government statement said, in a clear reference to oil-rich Gulf Arab countries that have sided with the Syrian rebels.
An unidentified Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman blamed Israel for the attacks while Hezbollah and Syrian officials indirectly blamed Saudi Arabia.
Finian Cunningham:
Following the first round of negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group in Geneva last month, there was dizzying high praise from Washington and European powers. But ahead of the second round of talks scheduled in Geneva next week, there have been assorted signals that Washington and the Europeans are reverting to playing hardball. The Obama administration is saying that there will no sanctions relief any time soon and that Iran will have to present concrete evidence that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons. The US Congress is also preparing to pass a bill that will ratchet up the sanctions regime even more, while the EU is reportedly stepping up enforcement of its embargoes on Iranian shipping and finance. The effect of this hardball will make Iran amenable to acceding to political concessions, especially as it gains the tantalizing whiff of sanctions relief. Here Iran has to tread carefully because of its own domestic population who are deeply suspicious of Western intentions. So far, the Rouhani presidency insists that the country’s right to enrich uranium at the 20 per cent level for civilian purposes is non-negotiable. It is inconceivable that the government in Tehran would survive politically if it were to give way on such a redline issue. That raises the question of what other concessions the West might demand from Iran for the latter’s much-needed sanctions relief?Perhaps the Iranians might be asked to act as an interlocutor to enable the West to extract concessions from the government in Damascus regarding the imposition of a transitional government there. In pursuing its political machinations, the West has to proceed smartly and delicately too. For one thing, it has to appear to be giving the Iranians something, otherwise Iran will not engage, or the Iranian masses will demand complete withdrawal from a futile process. In that regard, it is significant that the White House is saying that it is considering the unfreezing of Iranian assets worth up to $50 billion. That amount would more than compensate for the loss in oil revenues for Iran over the past year. And it seems that Iran is anticipating a return to international oil markets because of the warmer diplomatic climate. The Reuters news agency reported last week: «Iran is reaching out to its old oil buyers and is ready to cut prices if Western sanctions against it are eased.»The report added: «New Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's ‘charm offensive’ at the United Nations last month, coupled with a historic phone call with US President Barack Obama, revived market hopes that Iranian barrels could return with a vengeance if the diplomatic mood music translates into a breakthrough in the standoff over Tehran's disputed nuclear program.»Reuters quoted a senior oil trader as saying: «The Iranians are calling around already saying ‘let's talk’ ... You have to be careful, of course, but there is no law against talking.»Now, here is where the Saudis smarting over US «betrayal» could play havoc with Washington’s tactical engagement with Iran and Syria. Iran’s forced withdrawal from oil markets due to Western sanctions has been replaced by a spike in Saudi oil production, which has helped to maintain market prices at around $100 a barrel over the past year. Saudi oil output is said to be at an all-time high, towards its full capacity of 12 million barrels a day. For Washington to engage Iran in a political process, even for entirely cynical reasons, it will need to show a certain degree of flexibility in allowing Iran to resume at least a portion of vital oil exports. However, that overture is, as it turns out, the prerogative of Saudi Arabia, whose extra oil output has covered the global shortfall from sanctioned Iranian supplies. The Saudis are unlikely to facilitate any resumption of Iranian oil business. In that way, the Saudis have the power to throw a very oily spanner in the diplomatic wheels that Washington is trying to turn with Iran.
Was France doing the bidding of the Israeli's and the US when it trashed the talks?Allowing the US to appear an 'honest broker' something the US has not been regarding much of anything in the MENoting the timing of the bombing in Lebanon. What is the message to Iran?It seems to be connect the dot time..........Thoughts? UPDATED: Very Interesting that France and Britain, instantaneously condemn this terror attack. Something neither nation did regarding the horrid attacks in Syria, Curious? Or part of that changing narration I have been harping on about?! Britain, France condemn Beirut bombing
Hague: “I strongly condemn the shocking terrorist attack on the Iranian embassy in Southern Beirut today that has led to such tragic loss of life. I send my condolences to the families of those killed and injured,” France also condemned in the strongest terms the bloody attack near the Iranian Embassy, expressing its deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
Beware the wolves in sheeps clothing