An Iranian soldier stands at attention.

Iran seemed to flex all its muscles in preparation for talks this week with world powers on the nation’s rogue nuclear program.

For instance, during celebrations of Iran’s 35-year-old Islamic revolution, calls of “Down with the US!” and “Death to Israel!” echoed in Iran’s streets.

As well, Iran’s state TV recently aired a documentary that featured a simulated bombing of Tel Aviv, Haifa, Ben-Gurion Airport, and the Dimona nuclear reactor by Iranian drones in retaliation for an imaginary Israeli (or American) strike on the Islamic Republic.  Simulated attacks on American targets in the region, including an aircraft-carrier, were also presented.

Not long after this February 7 dramatization of the hypothetical destruction of Israeli targets by drones and missiles, Iran tested laser-guided surface-to-surface and air-to-surface (including long-range) missiles. 

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated, “I say explicitly, if some have delusions of having any threats against Iran on their tables, they need to wear new glasses.  There is no military option against Iran on any table in the world.”

The next day, the Iranian Chief of Staff, General Sayyid Hassan Firouzabadi, declared that Iran is “ready for the decisive battle with America and the Zionist  regime.”

While United States Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States is prepared for its Plan B “military option” if diplomacy initiatives fail, Firouzabadi said Kerry is bluffing.  (Times of Israel)

“It is important to emphasize that Iran has not changed anything about its overall policy.  Not only has Iran not changed its policy—it is also acting provocatively,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  “The desire to rip the Jewish people out of their homeland has never changed.  What’s changed is our ability to resist our enemies.”