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Iranian narrative

Reader comment on item: After an Israeli Strike on Iran

Submitted by myth (Germany), Jun 26, 2012 at 07:32

I recall Ahmadinejad's presentation of the Iranian narrative during a recent interview with German tv. It stands on three legs:

  1. Thousands of years of Persian civilization promotes Iran to a level equal to Western UN security council members.
  2. As a consequence of equal treatment Iran reserves the right to acquire nuclear arms. On the other hand Iran does not pursue a nuclear arms program at present time.
  3. Public opinion in Western countries tolerates the Iranian nuclear program. Public opinion in the West is critical of Israel while Western governments are not.

I believe Iran wants to stick with that narrative in the event of an Israeli strike.

  1. demands a moderate Iranian response that would motivate Western major powers to enter talks as equals.
  2. the nature of an Iranian retaliation reflects on the admitted intent of the Iranian nuclear program. A harsh retaliation would prove the military intent. Iran would react in a restricted way appropriate to a nuclear program advertised as civilian. I agree with the article that in the same way a moderate response is necessary to continue business relations with the suppliers of nuclear technology. This follows from their goal to be one step short of having nuclear weapons.
  3. An Israeli attack serves the Iranian narrative to have Western public opinion go pro-Iran and contra-Israel. Iran would retaliate well-aimed , but small, in order to provoke a disproportionate reaction of the West. Iran would further gain public opinion support in the West.
Submitting....

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Reader comments (30) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
1Further ramifications of Israeli attack [169 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Kim HannaFeb 18, 2013 07:48203602
Turkey moving forward [128 words]KimJul 27, 2014 07:30203602
Insanity of an attack by Israel [126 words]kimFeb 17, 2013 12:05203586
New York again [20 words]KAWABATAJul 10, 2012 03:37197111
Another Consequence [16 words]CliffordJul 6, 2012 14:47197039
2Israel's strike on Iran [183 words]Lujack SkylarkJul 1, 2012 17:12196869
Stuxnet and other viruses [71 words]stranchanJul 1, 2012 10:34196864
9Israel and Iran [1262 words]SarahSueJun 30, 2012 21:37196857
2Loved your post, SarahSue! [215 words]saraJul 1, 2012 17:06196857
absolutely correct [30 words]cmtljnpkisvji1683Jun 3, 2014 17:49196857
Israel's curious relationship with Iran [261 words]MozzaJun 28, 2012 06:07196781
Israel's Measured Response [665 words]M. ToveyJun 27, 2012 11:46196753
1So what's Israel waiting for? [70 words]BamagujeJun 30, 2012 16:57196753
1Good Question Now; But Timing Will Be Everything Later [630 words]M. ToveyJul 2, 2012 15:59196753
Iran's Nuclear Threat [142 words]Dan RusenJun 26, 2012 21:02196734
1After An Israeli Strike on Iran [164 words]JudithJun 26, 2012 19:51196732
too late by 5 years. [177 words]JOE revellJun 27, 2012 20:43196732
After an Israeli Strike on Iran [123 words]JudithJun 28, 2012 16:08196732
Israel has the right to self defense [85 words]StasJun 26, 2012 18:03196722
the Options of Iran [6 words]GiorgioJun 26, 2012 12:08196711
2Analysis misses likely escalation [133 words]MichaelJun 26, 2012 08:48196708
Iranian narrative [244 words]mythJun 26, 2012 07:32196704
2The Iranian leadership [82 words]Ken BesigJun 26, 2012 06:11196696
Iranian leadership and Hitler compared [123 words]mythJun 26, 2012 18:47196696
Can't take the chance anyway [76 words]saraJul 5, 2012 19:19196696
ony Iran [176 words]suzyApr 22, 2013 02:34196696
1After an Israeli Strike on Iran [42 words]George ArmstrongJun 26, 2012 04:55196694
3Great analysis but there are other players/scenarios to be considered [433 words]Yusuf in ObamastanJun 27, 2012 01:29196694
Iran is cooked [59 words]StasJun 21, 2012 02:28196482
Sanctions [110 words]sergeyJun 19, 2012 01:07196447

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