IRAN, IRAN, IRAN - AT 7:45 A.M. ET:  It's the big story this morning.  You'll see it all over the networks and the internet.  It has dramatic implications.

President Obama will charge this morning that Iran has been operating a secret nuclear facility.  The Iranians, apparently aware that the charge would be made, have now essentially admitted it.  This comes after years of Iran assuring the world that it has disclosed everything about its nuclear program.  It gives the lie to the liars.

The implications are grave.  The Iranians have been caught red-handed.  If they have one secret facility, we must logically ask how many others they have.  If the purpose of their nuclear program is peaceful, why was it necessary to hide part of it? 

This is a moment of testing for Barack Obama, who has failed one foreign-policy test after another.  He will speak on live TV this morning to this very issue.  Reports say that he will "demand" an accounting from Iran, and will possibly threaten greater sanctions.  That's nice. 

But what will be the ultimate result?  This morning's uproar - and it is huge - over the secret facility will fade in time.  The flacks for the mullahs who operate in the United States, and assorted "scholars," will put the issue "in perspective," and we'll be told to relax and just "negotiate."  Will Obama fall into that trap again?

And what about the Israelis, who have now been proved right in their repeated charge that Iran cannot be trusted?  Will they leave their fate up to Barack Hussein Obama Jr., or will they take the necessary action?

The broadcast coverage of the issue this morning has been reasonable on Fox, CNN, and even MSNBC, although, for a brief period, MSNBC's coverage became a valentine to Obama, as we were told how much more credibility he has than George W. Bush.  (On the basis of what?) 

It is crunch time.  For Iran.  For health-care reform.  For the economy.  For a president whose popularity is declining.  We've said for months that we'd have a very interesting political autumn.  Welcome.

September 25,  2009