The far right, convinced that Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were planning to destroy the world today with its massive, unchecked nuclear arsenal, can rest easy thus far, as Iran seems only intent on showing the world it’s military might by making life Hell for its own people.

In his address, Mr. Ahmadinejad praised the achievements of the Iranian people and railed against the West.

Meantime, opposition Web sites say security forces fired tear gas to disperse opposition supporters gathered in central Tehran.

There are also reports that leading reformist politicians Mehdi Karroubi and former President Mohammad Khatami were attacked. …

An Iranian security official, Police Chief Ismail Ahmadi Moghaddam, told Iranian media Wednesday that authorities are prepared to deal with anyone trying to disrupt state-run rallies. He said several people have already been detained for organizing protests

Many in the U.S. had been prepared for the worst after Khamenei said on Monday that Iran is set to deliver a “punch” that will stun world powers. Top conservative thinkers like Michael Leeden were telling Israel to be prepared for the worst.

“What might he have in mind? I don’t know; they say a lot of things just for effect, but threats/promises from the supreme leader have a certain standing. If I were an Israeli official, I’d recheck my information on Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad.”

Luckily, for the 10,000th consecutive time, it now appears that Iran was sabre-rattling ahead of a celebration, and Iran won’t be attempting a national suicide mission into Israel. They’ll just be teaching their own people who’s boss.

–WKW

Crossposted at William K. Wolfrum Chronicles