Ray McGovern: Iran Hits Targets Near Israel’s Nuclear Site
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to attack Iranian power grids.
- ❖Iran responded by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz completely and target Israeli energy, ICT, and infrastructure assets, as well as power plants in countries hosting US bases.
- ❖Iran successfully hit targets near Israel's Dimona nuclear site with hypersonic missiles, demonstrating the vulnerability of Israeli air defense systems.
- ❖Ray McGovern argues that US policy is influenced by Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in the 'driver's seat' and is pushing for conflict due to his own political and legal jeopardy.
- ❖A former Trump administration official, Joe Kent, reportedly resigned, stating he could not support the 'ongoing war in Iran' and attributed it to 'pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby'.
- ❖McGovern highlights the risk of Netanyahu using nuclear weapons if faced with 'humiliating defeat', a scenario he considers more likely than not.
- ❖US intelligence assessments regarding Iran's nuclear weapons program have been consistent since 2007, stating Iran stopped working on a nuclear weapon in 2003 and has not resumed, despite recent political rhetoric.
Bottom Line
Netanyahu's personal legal battles and potential jail time if he loses power are presented as a significant, overlooked factor driving his aggressive stance and willingness to escalate conflict, including the potential use of nuclear weapons.
This suggests that the geopolitical stability of the Middle East is being held hostage by the personal desperation of a single leader, rather than purely national strategic interests, increasing the unpredictability and danger of the conflict.
Understanding this personal motivation could inform alternative diplomatic strategies focused on de-escalation that address Netanyahu's political survival, or conversely, highlight the need for international bodies to hold leaders accountable to prevent such personal stakes from dictating global security.
The US intelligence community's consistent assessment since 2007 that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons is being overridden by political narratives, indicating a systemic failure of intelligence integrity under political pressure.
This undermines the credibility of US intelligence and risks leading the nation into wars based on false pretenses, similar to the lead-up to the Iraq War, with potentially catastrophic consequences in the current context of nuclear-armed actors.
Advocacy for strengthening the independence and accountability of intelligence agencies, along with supporting alternative media that challenge official narratives, becomes crucial to ensure policy decisions are based on accurate information rather than political expediency.
The possibility of a 'false flag' attack, blamed on Iran but orchestrated by other actors, is raised as a likely short-term escalation tactic.
This implies that the current conflict could be deliberately manipulated to justify broader military action, making it difficult for the public and policymakers to discern the truth and prevent further entanglement.
Increased vigilance from independent journalists and analysts, along with robust public discourse, is necessary to quickly identify and expose potential false flag operations, thereby preventing unwarranted military responses.
Lessons
- Demand accountability from political leaders and intelligence agencies to ensure foreign policy decisions are based on accurate, unpoliticized intelligence.
- Support independent media and alternative news sources to counter mainstream narratives that may be influenced by political lobbies or agendas.
- Educate oneself and others on the historical context of US foreign policy, military strategy, and the dangers of 'entangling alliances' to foster informed public discourse.
Quotes
"If Donald Trump does that, and they fully, you know, they they close the Strait of Hormuz totally until the damage the damaged facilities are rebuilt, and target all energy, ICT, and infrastructure assets of Israel, destroying regional companies with US shareholders, and target power plants in the countries hosting US bases."
"Anything can get through an air defense system, an anti-ballistic system. There's always decoys. And in this case, with no decoy necessary, it was just going so damn fast that as you watch the Israeli missile that no credit missile it was, no doubt given by the US but it it sort of didn't Oh, there it is, something but didn't intercept it."
"I cannot, in good conscience, support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby."
"I'm convinced now that that's one one of the holes that Netanyahu has on our president. And would our president make earth-shattering decisions just to avoid all that coming out? I wouldn't put it put it past him."
"I've not seen, since the Cuban missile crisis, a confrontation that involves one party with nuclear weapons being pushed into a decision as to retreat shamefully or use them."
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