General Salami claims in your report that Iran is ready to attack the Great Satan "should the U.S. attack the Islamic Republic". Well, you pretty much can't blame them for retaliating if they are attacked first.

We don't have to take the General at his word. He could be getting ready to attack us first, in which case he would be crazy to warn us, knowing our ability to retaliate. Then again, if we're not going to take him seriously, there's no reason not to believe this is just a bluff, a little saber-rattling for his domestic audience or some threats to either intimidate or provoke us into doing or not doing something.

Either way, nothing this guy says about what he might do if we do something else should dictate what our policy should be. Whether or not he intends to attack us, or when, and whether or not he has the capability or intention to do, have absolutely nothing to do with what this guy says.

Yes, Iran is a danger to the whole world, they are fanatical Islamic state causing trouble all over the world and they are actively pursuing military nuclear technology. That alone is enough to scare the crap out of anybody. But what this guy says don't mean squat, and it should no more guide our strategy than Sen McCain's
"bomb, bomb, bomb; bomb Iran" Beach Boys parody should guide theirs.