Iranian-made rockets targeting US troops in Iraq

"As I said in my inauguration speech, if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us."
Barack Obama in an interview with the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya network - January 27, 2009

From the New York Times:

Iraqi and American troops seized a rocket launcher loaded with about a dozen Iranian-made rockets aimed at an American base in the southern city of Basra, Iraqi officials said Tuesday...

Three American soldiers were killed in a rocket attack on their base in Basra last month...

In a related development, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while on a visit to Tehran on Wednesday, congratulated Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his re-election as president of Iran and stated: “I’m confident the re-election of the president by the Iranian nation is a confirmation that Iran and Syria must continue their past policies in the region.”

Ahmadinejad echoed that sentiment:

“Iran and Syria are in the same trench,” he said..

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei met Assad later and welcomed a proposal by the Syrian president to form an alliance between the two countries as well as neighboring Iraq and Turkey.

“Such an alliance would be in line with the region’s benefit,” Khamenei was quoted as saying.

Khamenei praised Syria for its “resistance” in the face of world powers.

“Syria ’s most important characteristic among Arab countries is its steadfastness and resistance,” he said...

Khamenei said “the resistance front” in the Middle East “should strengthen its co-operation and ties."

Apparently, Iran and Syria have no plans to "unclench" their fists anytime soon. Iranian-made rockets will continue to rain down on our troops in Iraq and President Obama will continue to extend an olive branch to the Mullahs.

Excellent strategy, Mr. President! Shrewd, real shrewd, indeed!