Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

 

Unconcerned about sacrifice of more U.S. servicemen 

Jewish Zionist Senator, Carl Levin, Calls for Naval Blockade of Iran as Prelude to Military Action

Reuters, Saturday, 10 March 2012

LOOK WHO'S POINTING A FINGER —

Peering out from behind those trademark, drooping spectacles, a gefilte Carl Levin strikes one of his moralistic poses. The Michigan senator is chairman of the US Senate armed services committee and a devoted champion of Jewish interests and the Zionist cause. 

WASHINGTON — An international naval blockade of Iranian oil exports should be considered before any resort to air strikes against the country's disputed nuclear program, the chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee said on Friday.    

"That's, I think, one option that needs to be considered" to boost pressure on Iran to curb its nuclear program in line with UN Security Council resolutions, Democratic Senator Carl Levin said in an interview taped for C-SPAN's "Newsmakers" program.

Suggests 'no-fly zone'

He said any such blockade should be preceded by lining up alternative oil supplies to avoid a price spike on world crude markets. Iran is OPEC's second-largest oil producer and the world's third-largest petroleum exporter.    

Levin was responding to a question about possible ways of increasing pressure short of combat, including imposition of a "no-fly zone" over Iran.    

Such moves "could be very effective," he said. "I think (these are) options that whoever is willing to

participate should explore, including Israel and including the United States."    

The [response by Israel and its allies] to Iran's nuclear program has evolved into a widespread consensus for substantial sanctions and other pressure, paired with incentives and diplomacy, to head off the possible development of nuclear arms.

Israel continues to threaten

Israeli leaders have said, however, that time is running out before they could feel compelled to launch military strikes to stop or delay the program.    

A senior Obama administration official, asked about Levin's remarks, said, "Our focus remains on a diplomatic solution, as we believe diplomacy coupled with strong pressure can achieve the long-term solution we seek."    

Levin said he would not be surprised if Israel, which regards a nuclear-armed Iran as a threat to its existence, took military action within "months."    

Says 'Holocaust®' gives Jewish Entity sole nuclear power right

"I would say that a strike is likely" if Iran continues to refuse to curb its nuclear program, he added. He said US-supported Israeli missile-defense programs had undercut Iran's ability to retaliate against Israel for any strike.    

Asked why Israel alone should be allowed to have nuclear arms in the region, Levin cited the Holocaust®, the genocide of about 6 million European Jews during World War II by Nazi Germany, and what he called similar threats throughout history.    

In addition, he said, Israel still faced a threat of being wiped out by some of its neighbors, "so it's a deterrent against that kind of a threat