Options limited in Iran stand-off

[elSicomoro]

Originally Posted by Griff

Has he figured out that our nuts are as crazy as his nuts?

I think I was reading about this on the BBC yesterday. I think the Ayatollah knows that he has to keep Mahmoud muzzled for now to prevent a full-scale blow up. Deep down, I think they're afraid that the Americans/British will whoop their asses and so they're trying to be somewhat civil.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by sycamore

I think I was reading about this on the BBC yesterday. I think the Ayatollah knows that he has to keep Mahmoud muzzled for now to prevent a full-scale blow up. Deep down, I think they're afraid that the Americans/British will whoop their asses and so they're trying to be somewhat civil.

Yea, I read that too, here is the link:


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6507451.stm

President missing

Iran officially says there is no connection between the detention of the British personnel and its own grievances.

But some hardline elements make a link between their release and other issues.


President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has faced domestic criticism
The Iranian authorities themselves are under mounting pressure domestically to ensure the release of the five Iranians held by the US military in Iraq, and hardliners are arguing that any release of the British sailors should be conditional on the release of the Iranians.

Noticeable by his absence in all this is Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

From the Iranian side, the crisis has been managed by the country's Supreme National Security Council, the highest body dealing with such important matters.

Its decisions are approved by Ayatollah Khamenei, and all senior officials take part in its meetings.

President Ahmadinejad's silence may suggest that the clerical leadership is deliberately keeping him out of this matter in order to ensure that situation is not inflamed by his usual hardline rhetoric.