Behind diplomacy, Iran sees a fight coming

[NeoConsSuck]

TEHRAN, IRAN — From Washington, the rhetoric calls for diplomatic solutions to the nuclear standoff with Iran. But Tehran also hears a growing drumbeat for war that echoes the build-up to U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

In preparation for any strike on its budding nuclear facilities, Iran is making clear that the price will be high — burnishing its military forces, boosting its missile program, and warning of a painful response against U.S. and Israeli targets in the region.

"They see a fight coming, regardless of what they do, so they are getting ready for it," says a European diplomat in Tehran, referring to ideologues who think a U.S. invasion is a "very real prospect." Even moderate conservatives fear the "Iraqization of the Iran dossier," says the diplomat. The result is that Iran is "constantly trying to project strength" and is developing a new doctrine of asymmetric warfare.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-03-30-iran-nukes_x.htm