Iran Envoy Claims 'Zionist Regime' Behind Bangkok Blasts

[webfact]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Iran envoy claims 'Zionist regime' behind blasts

Thanong Khanthong

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The claim that suspects involved in the Valentine's Day bomb blasts in Bangkok are linked to Iran is baseless, Iranian Ambassador Majid Bizmark said.

In an interview with The Nation, Bizmark categorically denied that Iran had anything to do with the explosions in Sukhumvit Soi 71, which have shaken the capital's security and prompted 14 countries to issue travel warnings. Instead, he said, the prime suspect is the Zionist regime, referring to Israel.

"If we follow the issue closely and wisely, we'll find out who is behind the scenario … There are some things I cannot say, but as I mentioned, in this scenario, the first suspect is Zionists," he added.

The ambassador said the case remained ambiguous about the nationality of the suspects and that Iran has come out to strongly condemn this incident.

"We don't know who they are … they could be anybody," he said.

So far, two men identified as Iranians are in detention in Thailand. They have allegedly confessed that they were plotting to attack Israeli diplomats in much the same way as the strikes in India and Georgia were conducted. Malaysian police managed to arrest another suspect just as he was about to flee the country.

Yesterday, Bangkok police commissioner LtGeneral Winai Thongsong also announced that authorities were looking for two more suspects in the case, including a man who was captured on CCTV footage early on Tuesday leaving the house where the first explosion took place

While Israel blames Iran as having been behind the Bangkok blasts, Iran has also come out to blame Israel.

Bizmark said the incident was a design of the Zionist regime, which wanted to sour relations between Iran and Thailand as well as hurt the stability of the world.

"You can see this kind of scenario taking place in different countries some months ago, like a chain … one after another. And it shows who is behind this scenario, which is dangerous for the stability and peace in the region," Bizmark said.

He added that the embassy was ready to cooperate with Thai officials in order to get to the bottom of the incident.

"All these incidents or scenarios were prepared and directed by elements of the Zionist regime. They started this chain by sending fabricated news all around the world. They are the first suspects," he added.

When asked if Iran was concerned about the attempts being made to implicate it in the bomb blasts, Bizmark said: "Of course, we are concerned. We are concerned because we are looking for peace. We are looking out for stability not just between two countries, but in the region and the world."

Asked if Thailand was being dragged into the conflict, Bizmark said IranianThai relationship has been flourishing for four centuries and official diplomatic ties have been ongoing for 57 years.

"When we reveal this relationship historically and diplomatically, there has never been any kind of tension between the two countries under the framework of bilateral relations," he said. "Who wants to sabotage this good relationship? That's our concern really. I am confident that through the wise management of the Thai officials they will not succeed in [damaging the good relations between the two countries]."

Bizmark added that Iran had not been affected by the economic and financial sanctions imposed by the West because the country had natural resources and could survive on its own. In fact, he said, the sanctions are nothing new because they have been going on and off over the past three decades.

-- The Nation 2012-02-18

[Ulysses G.]

"If we follow the issue closely and wisely, we'll find out who is behind the scenario … There are some things I cannot say, but as I mentioned, in this scenario, the first suspect is Zionists," he added.

The suspects carry Iranian passports and one of them has already ran off to Iran. Those "Zionist fabricaters" sure are good.

[pattayadingo]

2 Iranians in custody who have confessed.....

And Iran blames the Zionists?

edit typo

Edited February 17, 2012 by pattayadingo

[Jayman]

I'm still unclear as to why the Iranian embassy will not confirm or deny the identity of the persons being implicated in this crime that were caught with Iranian passports. Also, if the relationship is so strong between the 2 nations then why haven't the Iranians offered to help capture the other suspect that returned to their country? At least make a gesture to back up all this talk of peace.

[Jingthing]

If you're going to lie, go big!

[cdnvic]

I'm going to make a pre-emptive warning about any racist, anti-Semitic, or off topic conspiracy posts. There will be no patience for it.

[Reasonableman]

Snake-oil salesman, not even plausible. Nothing to see here. Move along.

[Steely Dan]

I've often stated that the Iranian regime is mentally ill, what more proof is needed? Indeed the same could be said for their apologists who cling to racist or anti western conspiracy theories to deny reality, either that or they are knowingly complicit.

[BigRick]

Man Iran is taking the pages right out of the Thai political playbook Get caught,Lie, Blame the oposition, lie some more I would have went the space alien route or act of God at least with the act of God you can say he is on your side of the conflict and he was actually punishing these fake Iranians. I can't wait for the dubous documents to come out of Iran. I wish the world could show these jokers the same level of hate they show everyone else. They always want a fight but in a strait up fight they would nuclear glass.

[RickBradford]

This is a classic psychological defense mechanism called Denial/Projection.

When you cannot acknowledge certain feelings and parts of your own psyche (usually the dark side), as a defense mechanism, you tend to Deny that in yourself, and Project those feelings onto your enemies.

So, to see what the Iranians are constantly thinking about, you only need to look at what they keep accusing the Zionists of.

[jaltsc]

If you believe him, then you will believe that the ladies working in the bars are really nuns collecting money for Mother Theresa's orphanages.

[zakk9]

Iran has usually been able not to be directly linked to terrorist attacks. It would surprise me if they were behind such an amateurish attempt. Although the involved may be Iranians, I doubt that they have government backing. There are elements on both sides of the Iran/Israel conflict who would like to see an escalation or preferably war between the two. That is probably where to look.

Edited February 18, 2012 by zakk9

[EyesWideOpen]

Have to say this is a pretty weak defense on the part of Iran , to say the least............Denying reality generally makes the person look pretty stupid. They need to learn from Thailand. Here when the military or police get caught red handed doing something really wrong, such as killing Chinese sailors on the Mekong, a statement is quickly made that these are " rogue elements". Voila !!! Face is saved, the " rogue elements" are assigned to inactive posts, and the story slowly fades away.

[sparebox2]

Can we blame the government? Don't we all have bad people in our country.

If a few of our national went to do bad things, must the government take responsibility?

Are we saying that there are no known terrorist that is truely Americans, British, Irish, French, German, Spainish, Russian, etc (not those nationalised after they became adult)?

There are plentity of Thais caught and charge for terrorism last year (during the Red protest), and we are still proud of Thailand.

[Jingthing]

Can we blame the government? Don't we all have bad people in our country.

If a few of our national went to do bad things, must the government take responsibility?

Are we saying that there are no known terrorist that is truely Americans, British, Irish, French, German, Spainish, Russian, etc (not those nationalised after they became adult)?

There are plentity of Thais caught and charge for terrorism last year (during the Red protest), and we are still proud of Thailand.

They were part of a coordinated attack on Israeli embassies internationally. Key word -- coordinated. They were clearly not independent actors. So the blame goes to their bosses. They were not suicide bombers.

[chainarong]

Hitler , Stalin , Saddam, etc all had this same problem, credibility. Bullsh!!t mate.

[Reasonableman]

Is it too much to expect the truth from a government, instead of half-truths, spin, denial, and obfuscation? I suspect the answer is a resounding yes!

Can we blame the government? Don't we all have bad people in our country.

If a few of our national went to do bad things, must the government take responsibility?

Are we saying that there are no known terrorist that is truely Americans, British, Irish, French, German, Spainish, Russian, etc (not those nationalised after they became adult)?

There are plentity of Thais caught and charge for terrorism last year (during the Red protest), and we are still proud of Thailand.

[jonclark]

Can we blame the government? Don't we all have bad people in our country.

If a few of our national went to do bad things, must the government take responsibility?

Are we saying that there are no known terrorist that is truely Americans, British, Irish, French, German, Spainish, Russian, etc (not those nationalised after they became adult)?

There are plentity of Thais caught and charge for terrorism last year (during the Red protest), and we are still proud of Thailand.

That all depends on whether the government was involved in helping (i.e. suppling travel documents, money, equipment, knowledge, etc.) these people with their attack. If they were then yes, they should be held responsible. In the same way that if say Suthep or Taksin actively supported elements which led to the deaths or injury of soilders or civilians during the riots then they too should be held responsible.

I guess with the Iraninan connection intelligence at the highest levels of various governemnts may pin point the blame, but i doubt if that intelligence would be made public as it may compromise 'the source'.

[Bagwan]

I would concede the possibility that the Ambassador would think that he is being honest and open. I think it more likely that he wasn't in the loop. It is common that security organisations don't tell Head Office what they are up to viz. Pakistan and the US. I remember Maggie Thatcher going apeshit about some of the activities of MI5 and MI6 that people 'forgot ' to tell her. Hasn't Thaksin supposedly set up  War Roon and said "Don't tell Yingluck?"

[geriatrickid]

It is reassuring that the Iranian government condemns this criminal act. As such, I have a few questions for this wonderful diplomat;

1. When will the Iranians be returning the woman that fled to Tehran?

2. Will the Iranians co-operate with the Thai authorities in establishing the timeline, the source of funding and the expected network that these terrorists belonged to?

3. Will the Iranians be investigating these people?

No doubt the Iranian's position will play well to those desperate to blame Israel or the USA or Free Masons, or maybe even the bargirl that dumped them, but it is just so totally unbelievable. How the chap can sit there and lie and the Nation not hold his feet to the fire speaks to the BS that Iran uses to conceal its true intent.

[spidermike007]

If you believe him, then you will believe that the ladies working in the bars are really nuns collecting money for Mother Theresa's orphanages.

I am told by both the Israeli embassy, and the Iranian embassy, that these girls have already raised over one million dollars, for the Calcutta orphanage. The best bet is to Never, ever believe anything either the Israeli embassy, nor the Iranian embassy says. They are both snake oil salesmen.

[chrisinth]

Can we blame the government? Don't we all have bad people in our country.

If a few of our national went to do bad things, must the government take responsibility?

Are we saying that there are no known terrorist that is truely Americans, British, Irish, French, German, Spainish, Russian, etc (not those nationalised after they became adult)?

There are plentity of Thais caught and charge for terrorism last year (during the Red protest), and we are still proud of Thailand.

They were part of a coordinated attack on Israeli embassies internationally. Key word -- coordinated. They were clearly not independent actors. So the blame goes to their bosses. They were not suicide bombers.

They were not bombers period, or if they were, extremely bad ones

[swifty5x5]

[Jingthing]

Can we blame the government? Don't we all have bad people in our country.

If a few of our national went to do bad things, must the government take responsibility?

Are we saying that there are no known terrorist that is truely Americans, British, Irish, French, German, Spainish, Russian, etc (not those nationalised after they became adult)?

There are plentity of Thais caught and charge for terrorism last year (during the Red protest), and we are still proud of Thailand.

They were part of a coordinated attack on Israeli embassies internationally. Key word -- coordinated. They were clearly not independent actors. So the blame goes to their bosses. They were not suicide bombers.

They were not bombers period, or if they were, extremely bad ones

You don't read the news, do you?

India attack

[Ulysses G.]

Read the facts? That does not seem to be a requirement for posting about a topic on Thai Visa.

Edited February 18, 2012 by Ulysses G.

[animatic]

Read the facts? That does not seem to be a requirement for posting about a topic on Thai Visa.

it would appear so far too often.

[animatic]

Mr Phelpesajinadud

If any of your SMF (Suicidal Mission Force) members are captured or killed,

the ambassador will disavow any of your existances, ever.

This messgae will self-destruct in 10 seconds,

taking the surounding building with it.

Edited February 18, 2012 by animatic

[stockholm1995]

After 9/11 no one accused Saudi arabia, even if the hijackers were from Saudi Arabia.

Now most people say, bombings in Bangkok has to be Iran's works since the maniacs had Iranian passports

Was this Iran's or was it Israeli false flag operation that MKO helped?

Have you forgotten The Assassination of Hamas functionary Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai January 2010. Mossad agents used Irish, French, UK and German travel documents.

Israel has tried last 2-3 years convince all countries to Iran must be attacked, but no country wants to risk attacking Iran first.

U.S. knows that in the event of a war with Iran no American citizen would be safe anywhere in the world. EU countries know the risks involved to attack Iran.

It would not the first time Israel is using false flag op. They did it in 1954 in Egypt (Operation Susannah).

[Jingthing]

Not a false flag. They wouldn't attack their OWN ambassadors. Tin hattery only goes so far.

BTW, for anyone who has been following Israel's potential bombing plans. They DO NOT want the USA to be involved in the bombing, if there will be one. In fact, they CANCELED a major military exercise with the US that was coming up as part of a process of distancing themselves from the US (and to prepare a potential attack to do themselves).

Iran, if it is bombed, will have the CHOICE whether to retaliate against American targets. If they do, they are asking for full scale war with the USA. Their option. Odds are they won't take it.

Edited February 18, 2012 by Jingthing

[robertson468]

If you believe him, then you will believe that the ladies working in the bars are really nuns collecting money for Mother Theresa's orphanages.

Gosh! Now I am so disallusioned.