Iran's Stance, cont.

For what appears to be the first time, Iran is threatening offensive actions against US forces in Iraq. From the AP report:

In an interview with pan-Arab satellite channel Al-Jazeera, (Iranian Defense Minister) Ali Shamkhani was asked how Iran would respond if America were to attack its nuclear facilities.

"We will not sit to wait for what others will do to us," he said. "There are differences of opinion among military commanders (in Iran). Some commanders believe preventive operations is not a model created by Americans ... or is not limited to Americans. Any nation, if it feels threatened, can resort to that."

And from the AFP, more detail of his words:

"Some military commanders in Iran are convinced that preventive operations which the Americans talk about are not their monopoly,

"America is not the only one present in the region. We are also present, from Khost to Kandahar in Afghanistan; we are present in the Gulf and we can be present in Iraq (news - web sites)," said Shamkhani. ...

"Where Israel is concerned, we have no doubt that it is an evil entity, and it will not be able to launch any military operation without an American green light. You cannot separate the two."

"The US military presence (in Iraq) will not become an element of strength (for Washington) at our expense. The opposite is true, because their forces would turn into a hostage" in Iranian hands in the event of an attack, he said.

Developing, obviously.