Iran: Deja vu

Iran is again talking about the potential for violence against the U.S.

"The United States may have the power to cause harm and pain but it is also susceptible to harm and pain," it said in a statement obtained by Reuters on the sidelines of the IAEA board meeting in Vienna. "So if the United States wishes to choose that path, let the ball roll."

This is exactly the way Iraq used to talk about hurting the U.S. throughout the 1990s and before the Iraq War - advising its citizens to attack the U.S. around the globe wherever they could. Like Iraq, Iran sponsors and supports several terrorist groups, so I believe it when the mullahs say the will cause "harm and pain."

The only question now is what President Bush should do. From a liberal's standpoint, it's easy. You wait until the future and then criticize his decision. If Iran sponsors a terrorist attack against us, then Bush should have acted against Iran; if Bush acts against Iran, then it was just an innocent country that was contained, just like Saddam.

A year ago I wrote about why I thought an attack on Iran is imminent. I still believe it.