Iran: Quagmire

Iran's in wonderful shape. Really, it is. I promise.

Germany believes a negotiated settlement is the only way to end the nuclear crisis in Iran, the government's chief spokesman said on Wednesday.

Germany is one of three EU nations along with Britain and France in the midst of crucial talks with Iran aimed at finding a long-term solution that would ease international concerns.

"In the view of the German government, there is no alternative to these discussions," spokesman Bela Anda told a press conference.

Gee, I was under the impression that these talks weren't accomplishing much of anything, save for allowing Iran to stall and get more time to continue development of illegal weapons and delivery systems a la Iraq.

And the Mullahs are demonstrating their ability to be vehement.

Iranian media commentators are refusing to take seriously a claim in the American news magazine The New Yorker that US special forces are operating in Iran targeting military sites as a prelude to a possible military strike.

The report by the journalist Seymour Hersh is viewed as a part of a campaign of psychological warfare against Tehran, and is also seen as reflecting a split within US security circles.

"Although America is the biggest enemy of Iran...this [report] is bombast and a big lie," says the conservative daily Siyasat-e-Ruz.

"Certain groups in Iran and America have launched a campaign of psychological warfare to show the economic and military presence of America in the country in order to deprive Iranians from their power of electoral manoeuvre in the next election."

And let's not forget...

Iran accused the United States Wednesday of trying to disrupt its nuclear negotiations with the European Union by evoking the threat of a military strike, and warned Washington it would respond to any "unwise measure."

"With reliance on enormous popular support, diplomatic capacity and full military capability, the Islamic Republic of Iran will firmly respond to any unwise measure or plan," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said in a statement responding to "recent comments by US officials".

Riiiiight... Somebody ought to give Seymour Hersh a good old fashioned Singaporean caning.