The Elephant in the (Middle Eastern) Room

Much attention is focused on events in Syria and Egypt and for good reason. However, the elephant in the room is Iran. While there are serious concerns about Islamists, the breakdown of society and the future of both Egypt and Syria, those concerns pale in comparison with the possibility that very soon Iran could possess a nuclear weapon.

To bring the world's attention, especially the United States and President Obama's attention, back to Iran, President Netanyahu showed up on CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday. You can find out what he said in its entirety either by transcript (here) or by video (here).

For those lacking in time, here is a summary:

1) They're building ICBMs to reach America

"the American mainland within a few years. They don't need these missiles to reach us, they already have missiles that can reach us," warns Netanyahu

2) They're pursuing enriched uranium to build a nuclear bomb 

3) They're doing that after the election

Note: point three is a direct assault on the popular notion in the mainstream press that Hasan Rowhani, the recently elected Iranian president, is a moderate.

You can see some favorable press stories about him in the following places:

Hassan Rowhani Profile: Iran's President-Elect And Top Nuclear Negotiator Seeks 'Constructive Interaction'

Iran president-elect Hasan Rowhani suggests new "transparency" over nuclear program

Hasan Rowhani's win in Iran raises hopes -- Los Angeles Times

4) Netanyahu reminded the world and the U.S. specifically of Rowhani's past subterfuge:
"His strategy is, be a wolf in sheep's clothing. Smile and build a bomb. He brags about the fact that he talked to the Europeans while completing a nuclear conversion plan in Isfahan."

Former Ambassador John Bolton gives details to Netanyahu's accusation about the new Iranian president

Note:  you can also see by the favorable articles and from other sources that Rowhani pledges to continue the nuclear program, that Iran has a "right" to the nuclear program, that Rowhani was one of a select few who were hand-picked by the Ayatollah to run for president, that the Ayatollah makes such decisions regarding the nuclear program (not the president), has no desire for it to change and that Rowhani has a positive history with the Ayatollah.  

5) They have now about 190 kilos out of the 250 kilos of 20 percent enriched uranium. 

"They had six, seven months -- eight months ago about 110 kilos. So they're edging up to the red line. They're also building faster centrifuges that will enable them to jump the line, so to speak, at a much faster rate, that is within a few weeks, once they get to that critical mass of 250 kilos,"  Netanyahu warned.

"Over the past several weeks, I have been hearing from current and former senior Israeli officials and advisors at the highest possible levels, that the showdown with Iran is entering the critical 'end game' phase. I’m hearing from people with direct knowledge of the plans that war could come in 2013. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is beginning to prepare the public in Israel and around the world for a 'military option.'”-- Joel Rosenberg*

Again, we need to remember and obey the Scriptures, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:  May they prosper who love you." Psalm 122:6 (NKJV)

*Joel Rosenberg, who has a Gentile mother and Jewish father, worked as an aide to several U.S. and Israeli leaders that include Steve Forbes, former Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky, and then-former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (who is the current prime minister of Israel).