Iran wants to show regional power over Gaza crisis

Prepare for more B.S. out of Iran , Ahmadinejihad , Is piping up again and would like the U.S to be nice now ! Oh , if WE cooperate with them ! One day I hope to see A politician in the U.S. to tell these jackass's to piss-off , That would be one of the greatest political moments ever !

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran wants to send a message to the new U.S. administration and Arab governments that it is a power to be reckoned with in the region by championing the cause of its Palestinian ally, Hamas, in its fight with Israel.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, expected to seek re-election in June, may also have found a cause to muzzle criticism of his economic management and tumbling oil revenues, analysts say.

But Tehran's outspoken support for Hamas and criticism of the response by some Arab states could backfire if it wins over the Arab public but, in doing so, pushes wary Arab governments closer toward the United States in its dispute with Iran.

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Washington accuses Tehran of seeking a nuclear bomb, which Iran denies. The row is likely to be near the top of President-elect Barack Obama's foreign policy in-tray, though Gaza may now trump it bringing another benefit to Iran from the crisis.

"The message from the Iranians (to Washington) is there is give and take. We can help you in Afghanistan, we can help you in Iraq, we can help you with Lebanon and Palestine, if you have good relations with us," said Iranian analyst Baqer Moin.

"We are a regional power and you have to acknowledge that and talk to us on that level if you want us to be cooperative on issues where you need us," the London-based analyst said.

Gaza's plight -- more than 560 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli attacks -- has drawn sympathy from Iranians frustrated like many other Muslims at what they see as a limited international response to end fighting.

But hardliners have been most vocal backing the Palestinian cause, a pillar of the Islamic Republic since the revolution and a way Iran has fashioned itself a leader of the Muslim world although it is mainly Shi'ite and most Muslims are Sunni.
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