The Perennial 'Options Available' Script for Iran
Heather Conley's statement, reported by Bloomberg, that the Trump administration is 'keeping options available' on Iran is not a neutral observation; it's a pre-programmed alert. This language consistently foreshadows a shift from diplomatic posturing to more aggressive action, often justified by a narrative of imminent threats. FIRST INSTANCE: The 'Axis of Evil' and the 'All Options' Doctrine The
precedent was set long before Trump. In January 2002, President George W. Bush famously labeled Iran, Iraq, and North Korea an 'Axis of Evil.' This rhetorical framing laid the groundwork for an aggressive regional foreign policy. Following this, the administration consistently maintained that 'all options are on the table' regarding Iran, a phrase synonymous with 'keeping options available.' This
wasn't merely a statement of principle; it became a warning that sanctions, covert operations, and even military intervention were active considerations. The immediate outcome was the 2003 invasion of Iraq, framed by a similar pre-emptive logic. REPETITION: Bush-era Escalation and Covert Actions Throughout the Bush presidency, particularly from 2005-2008, the 'all options' rhetoric regarding
Iran's nuclear program surged. Simultaneously, the US implemented increasingly stringent sanctions and, as documented later by investigative journalists (e.g., Seymour Hersh, 2006 for The New Yorker ), escalated covert programs aimed at destabilizing the Iranian government and its nuclear facilities. Remember when Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated in 2006 that the U.S. was engaging in