JD: From Tehran they’re making the statement that every empire will come to an end. Well that’s true, the Medo-Persian Empire did but they’re still in the battle. Talk to us about this.
KT: Well the Iranians, look Jimmy they are suffering at the hand of US and increasingly internationally sanctions. This said the Iranians clearly are trying to step up the tensions militarily in the Strait of Hormuz. I would take as far more serious the statements from Iranian military leaders who are warning both the United States and Israel not to patrol the Strait of Hormuz and not to enter into the Persian Gulf. That to me is a far more serious statement than the foreign minister thumping his chest and wondering how he’s going to access his US bank account.
JD: Iran’s sending a warning to Israel, if you get involved in the Persian Gulf and as you mentioned the Strait of Hormuz there’s going to be smoke over Tel Aviv. That’s a pretty strong statement isn’t it?
KT: That is a strong statement and those statements I think are quite serious. The Iranians do not want to see an international coalition in the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea area that would inhibit their activities and now they see it surging back into the area and they’re worried. So they’re desperate to keep foreigners out. The two biggest ones they’re worried about the US and the UK obviously but also they’re worried about Israel. Israel has offered to join a multi lateral naval force to maintain freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf. And here is where the Iranians threaten Israel at home should they do such a thing.
JD: Ken Timmerman with the details on Iran’s statement and activities this week in our world.
