Iran Threatens to Sink an American Aircraft Carrier

Notwithstanding efforts being made by Tehran to create a spurious aura of flexibility and accomodation around its talks with the P5 +1 (the United States, Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany) over its nuclear weapons development program (see: http://jgcaesarea.blogspot.com/2012/04/p5-1-talks-with-iran-begin-in.html), Iran on Friday threatened to sink an American aircraft carrier. Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said in an interview with the Persian service of the Fars News Agency (http://www.mehrnews.com/en/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=1586971):

"'It is a misconception that an aircraft carrier can be put out of action only if it is sunk. First, sinking an aircraft carrier is not a complicated task. Second, an aircraft carrier is equipped with so many advanced, delicate, and sensitive devices . . . that it could be incapacitated by even the smallest explosion in every corner of it.'

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Elsewhere in his remarks, the [Islamic Revolution Guards Corps ] official said that the Islamic Republic is not concerned about the presence of U.S. troops in the region because they do not pose a threat to Iran anymore, but rather their presence has provided an opportunity for Iranian forces.

'Today, one of our short-range missiles can function as an intercontinental missile because they (U.S. troops) have been based near us,' he added.

Commenting on the proposed missile defense shield in the Persian Gulf, Hajizadeh said that Iran has taken measures to counter the 'U.S.-Israeli' plan.

'I promise that the missiles, which would be supposed to hit (Israel), will undoubtedly do the job. We have taken measures that the shield will become inefficient, and we will show our methods and tactics to counter the defense shield on the day of action,' he said."

Although Obama has tried to win over the mullahs with past sweet talk and a recent secret message conveyed via Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan that the US is willing to tolerate an Iranian civilian nuclear program (see: http://jgcaesarea.blogspot.com/2012/04/obama-sends-message-to-irans-supreme.html), this explosive situation will not remain under wraps until after the November elections or beyond, as Obama had hoped. Much to his displeasure, Obama will need to answer this insolent blustering threat.