Our website uses cookies to improve its performance and enhance your user experience.

Through
cookies, certain personal data is collected and may be stored temporarily. You can change your ACCEPT & CLOSE
cookie settings through your browser. More info: Privacy Policy

Sputnik International all

> 16:11 GMT +3 24 JUNE 2019

BREAKING: Two Euro ghters Crash Into Each Other in Northern Germany - Reports

War Scripted By Washington

COLUMNISTS 00:46 20.06.2019

Get short URL

Finian Cunningham
13 65 0

The drama of attacks on oil and tanker assets in the Middle East can’t seem to get
any more tense. The danger of war breaking out between the US and Iran is
reaching a crescendo. However, if this goes down, it is a war scripted by
Washington.

Nearly a week after the Trump administration blamed Iranian forces for bombing two
cargo ships in the Gulf of Oman, now the US’ biggest oil company, Exxon, has reportedly 
come under rocket attack in southern Iraq. That could be easily construed as a major
threat to US interests. A “cause” for military “response”.

No group claimed responsibility for the latest rocket assault on Exxon’s facilities near
the southern city of Basra. But it won’t be long before US o cials accuse “Iranian-
 backed” Shia militia based in Iraq.

Set against the apprehension of war, President Donald Trump, in an exclusive interview
this week with TIME magazine, reiterated that he doesn’t want a military confrontation
with Iran. He downplayed he was considering a military option, which seems to contradict
more belligerent recent comments by his hawkish Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

It also contradicts reports in Israeli media that the US is in the throes of planning a
“tactical assault” on Iranian sites.

Despite Trump’s seeming assurances of not wanting war, the spate of violent incidents
implicating Iran is occurring like a urry of sparks at a powder keg. It hardly matters what
Trump says because the fuse for war has been laid down, and it was Trump who helped
lay that fuse with his trashing of the international nuclear accord last year and re-
imposition of economic sanctions.

He may not have any control over the chain reaction that could unfold, but he is
complicit in at least creating the circumstances.

Iran has vehemently denied any involvement in the recent attacks on oil and shipping in
the Persian Gulf region. It has even pointed to “mischievous conspiracies” by way of
alerting against being set up by other malign actors. But, sooner or later, one of the
relentless sparks may lead to an explosion of con ict.

Iran was similarly implicated by the Trump administration for an attack near the American
embassy in Baghdad last month, as well as for allegedly sabotaging four oil tankers
transiting the Gulf of Oman.
 © AFP 2019 / HO

A picture obtained by AFP from Iranian State TV IRIB on June 13, 2019 reportedly shows
smoke billowing from a tanker said to have been attacked o the coast of Oman, at un
undisclosed location

As several commentators have noted, there are suspicions that these incidents are “false
ag” provocations to frame-up Iran. Certainly, the US has a long and sordid history over
many decades – from the Spanish-American War in 1898 to the War on Iraq in 2003 – of
using fabricated provocations as a convenient pretext for going to war.

The frequency of alleged infractions attributed to Iran invoke the words of Irish
playwright Samuel Beckett: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again.
Fail better.”

It seems blindingly obvious that the scenario of drama between the US and Iran has been
dutifully scripted. When Trump’s warmongering National Security Adviser John Bolton
ordered the buildup of naval and air forces in the Persian Gulf last month, he cited the
need to “counter Iranian aggression”.

Virtually every incident from then on has neatly followed a preconceived narrative
deeming to show “Iranian aggression”. When real life starts to follow a script then it is a
sure sign that events are being orchestrated for a purpose.
Nobody in their right mind could possibly take US o cials seriously in their charade to
condemn Iran. People like Bolton and Pompeo have actually publicly admitted – indeed
boasted – that they will resort to telling lies for “national security objectives”.

The lack of perceived credibility and integrity in Washington – after multiple illegal wars
and brazen false ags down through history – means, paradoxically, that it is the US which
is isolated in the eyes of the world, not Iran as American war hawks desire.

© AP PHOTO / VAHID SALEMI

A demonstrator holds an anti-U.S. placard during a ceremony celebrating the 40th

anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, at the Azadi, Freedom, Square in Tehran, Iran,
Monday, Feb. 11, 2019

Who actually believes America and its agrant attempts to corner Iran? Seems like the
only people are the Israelis and the Saudi rulers – both of whom have an obsessive
hostility towards Iran. Another supporter of US accusations against Tehran is Britain’s
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt who has a vested interest in kowtowing to Washington for
his political ambitions to become the next British prime minister.
It is an absolute disgrace that the US is pushing a war with Iran based on a heap of
falsehoods. From proliferating nuclear weapons to sponsoring terrorism, the American
rulers are guilty of projecting their own base criminality.

“Failing again and failing better” is so far an apt description of America’s ineptitude to
spark a war with Iran. The failure rate is in itself indicative of a repeated e ort at
contriving false- ag provocations.

The transparency of the whole criminal conduct should be enough to warrant

international condemnation of American rogue-state behavior. The last time a state actor
carried out such a concerted policy of provocations to justify war was probably Nazi
Germany.

America’s ineptitude at inciting a war with Iran could almost be laughable if it were not for
the potentially catastrophic consequences from engendering an all-out con ict. The
failure rate of America’s warmongers is not something to mollify fears for world peace.

It only takes one spark in a combustible situation of acute tension. Washington is

fully culpable for creating this abominable powder keg. When will the American
people hold their rogue leaders to account?

...
65 0

YOU MAY LIKE

Switch and save an average of $699. Savings make me smile.

Progressive Sponsored
.

The Dead Giveaway That Tells You The 10 Best Cars of 2019
When Amazon’s Giving You A… Top 2019 Car Models I Search Ads

Wikibuy

Sponsored Links

Moscow BREAKS SILENCE on Claim of Russia's Alleged Refusal to Sell S-400

to Iran

On Thursday, Bloomberg published a report, citing its sources, which says that Russia has rejected
a request from Iran to buy S-400 missile defence systems amid concerns that the move would …

.
Home Hacks That Everyone Wishes World's First Surviving Octuplets Are All
They Knew Sooner Grown Up. Look At Them 9 Years Later
HealthyGem DirectExpose

Sponsored Links

Related: Israel Bracing for 'Provocation' from Iran Amid US Tensions, Newspaper Claims

US Navy Claims to Have Found Mine Fragments, Magnet Pointing to Iran in Oil Tankers Attack

Mike Pompeo, Top US O cial Set Condition That Will Trigger Military Action Against Iran

US Special Envoy Departs for Middle East to Share US Intel on Iran 'Threat' - State Department

Tags: war, Donald Trump, John Bolton, iran, US

DISCUSSION Community standards

COMMENT VIA FACEBOOK COMMENT VIA SPUTNIK

 4 Comments Sort by Oldest

Add a comment...

Donald Francoeur
ON the "policy of concerted provocations", I would have said the UK under
Churcgill rather than Nazi Germany.
Like · Reply · 3 · 4d

Dragan Radulovic
The answer to Finian's concluding question is NEVER.

As for Iran, I'm still convinced the true target is Russia and the spectacle with
Iran is red herring.
Like · Reply · 4d

Kevin Miller
Politicians have to cover their massive accumulation of debt.
Like · Reply · 4d

Load 1 more comment

Facebook Comments Plugin

50 Of The Most Worthless Cars Ever

MoneyPop Sponsored
Bombshell Blonde Streaker Who S-500, Is That You? WATCH Russia Test
Disrupted UCL Final Unveils PLAN to Mystery 'Modernised ABM Missile'
Earn Enough Money to Retire at 30

Bombshell Champions League Invader Shows o How to UNDRESS at Snap

of Your Fingers (VIDEO)

After the extravagant skimpy swimsuit run, Kinsey Wolanski was slapped with two nes
simultaneously – one over violating the football governing body's rules, and the other for unlawfu…

Man Remodels Cabin With $100, Wait 23 Photos Taken Seconds Before Utter
Till You See Inside Catastrophe
PostFun Auto Overload
 Sponsored Links

‘World’s Largest Cat’: Half-Lion, Half-Tiger Goes for a Casual Stroll in South
Carolina

The 319kg beast, named Apollo, was recorded up close in an almost 13-minute-long video,
accompanied by two men who spoke about the half-lion, half-tiger as they all went for a casual …

Swimsuit-Clad Blonde Who Stole the Iran Received Message From Trump on
Show at UCL Final Explains Her X-Rated Possible Strike Overnight via Oman -
Stunt Report
WATCH: Chinese Air Force Jet Flies into Ground, Explodes

A shocking event last week was captured on lm: the moment a Chinese JH-7 “Flying Leopard” jet
ew straight into the ground on China’s Hainan Island, erupting in a huge reball.

Cheap Assisted Living in Dallas is Dad Invites This Unexpected Guest To

Turning Heads Daughter's Wedding
Assisted Living | Search Ads creativetimez.com

Sponsored Links

Jeremy Corbyn is Right to Be Cautious Over Iran Tanker Attack Claims

UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has come under erce neocon attack over a tweet he published
saying that ‘without credible evidence about the tankers attacks, the government’s rhetoric will …

Try Not To Chuckle At These Huge Dogs Man Who Called NASDAQ Crash Has
Who Don't Know Their Own Size Surprising New Prediction
Livestly Investing Outlook

Sponsored Links

Iranian Navy Commander Says Downing of US Drone Can Be Repeated -

Reports
On 20 June, Iran downed a US spy drone, stating that it had violated the Iranian border. The US
military con rmed that the aircraft had been shot down, claiming, however, that it was ying in …

Here Are The Top 40 Places You Should Are You Using the Wrong CPAP Mask?
Never Ever Swim We'll Tell You in Four Questions
Science101 Easy Breathe CPAP Store

Sponsored Links

Goliath Entering Octagon: 'Iranian Hulk' Announces Debut MMA Fight

(PHOTOS)

Sajad Gharibi, well-known in Iran and beyond for his extraordinarily massive physique, had earlier
expressed his intention to try his hand in an MMA ght, but it never became a reality. However, th…

British 'Ladies', Bare Bums & Bonkers WATCH: US Cop Tackles, Handcu s
Behaviour at UK Grand National Horse Woman Who Called 911 to Report
Race Threats

Raw Unedited Wild West Photographs Captured

Lifestylogy Sponsored

This is Why Texas O ering Free Solar Take A look inside Buckingham Palace
Programs For Home Owners UniversityFox

Understand Solar Power

 Sponsored Links

NEWS

LATEST MOST READ

15:52 US Citizen Given 12-Year Jail Term in Vietnam for 'Attempting to Overthrow State'

15:43 Two Euro ghters Crash Into Each Other in Northern Germany - Reports

15:31 MPs In Pro-Brexit Areas Dead Set Against It But Has Labour Got Any Option But Going "Full Remain"?

15:27 ‘I Won’t Blow Up Brits’: Jihadi Jack Begs to Return to UK From Syria After Fighting With Daesh

14:48 Motorcyclists Shoot at Mosque in Spanish City in North Africa

All news

RECOMMENDED

You May Like

Here's Why Air Force One Beats Every Other Plane

SoGoodly
‘A Very Big Gap’: China’s PLARF Outclasses US Missiles, Puts Carriers At Risk

Only People With An IQ Above 140 Can Pass This Sports Quiz
Topixstars

Promoted Links by Taboola

FROM OUR PARTNERS

2 RAF jets scrambled to intercept plane with ‘extremely disruptive

passenger,’ create sonic boom

Fans react to blonde Champions League pitch invader

 Kinsey Wolanski: The blonde believed to be Champions League pitch
invader

MULTIMEDIA

PHOTO CARTOONS INFOGRAPHICS

Always Remember: Commemorating the First Days of the Great Patriotic War
 TRENDING

'Nuclear Striptease Girl' Snaps

New Topless Photo in
Chernobyl Disaster Zone

Russian ‘She-Hulk’ Tennis Ace

Teases Netizens Amid ‘Comics
Biceps’ Stir

Victoria’s Secret Model

Apologises After Shamed for
"Racism"

NEWS ANALYSIS & OPINION MULTIMEDIA

Home Business Opinion Photo

World Military & Intelligence Columnists Infographics
US Society Interviews Cartoons
Africa Environment Video
Asia & Paci c Viral
Middle East Life
Latin America Tech
Russia Sport
Europe

RADIO SPUTNIK

Shows About Us
In Depth Press Info
Products
Apps
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Contact Us

© 2019 Sputnik. All rights reserved