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Journalism of Courage
A top Iranian military chief today warned that the US will face 8220;harsh consequences8221; if it intervenes in ally Syria over claims of chemical attacks,Fars news agency reported. 8220;If the United States crosses this red line,there will be harsh consequences for the White House,8221; armed forces deputy chief of staff Massoud Jazayeri was quoted as saying. A year ago US President Barack Obama warned the use of chemical weapons in Syria would cross a 8220;red line8221; and have 8220;enormous consequences8221;.
Today,his Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said the US military was ready to take action against Syria. 8220;President Obama has asked the Defence Department to prepare options for all contingencies. We have done that,8221; Hagel told reporters in Malaysia. 8220;Again,we are prepared to exercise whatever option,if he decides to employ one of those options,8221; he said,a day after Obama held a rare meeting his top aides and brass to discuss Syria.
But the Iranian military leader warned Washington,its Western allies and Israel against playing with 8220;fire8221;. 8220;The terrorist war underway in Syria was planned by the United States and reactionary countries in the region against the resistance front against Israel,8221; Fars quoted Jazayeri as saying.
8220;Despite this,the government and people of Syria have achieved huge successes. 8220;Those who add fire to the oil will not escape the vengeance of the people,8221; added Jazayeri. Foes of the Damascus regime say Syrian forces unleashed a chemical attack Wednesday on areas southwest and east of the capital,killing hundreds of people. The regime of President Bashar al-Assad denies the accusations,saying instead that rebel fighters have used chemical weapons in the 29-month conflict.
