The Same Old Song?

Let the sabre rattling begin (from the WaPo):

Vice President Cheney threatened Iran today with "meaningful consequences" if it fails to cooperate with international efforts to curb its nuclear program.

"For our part, the United States is keeping all options on the table in addressing the irresponsible conduct of the regime," Cheney said in a speech to the pro-Israel lobby group, the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee.
[...]
Cheney's comments, as strong as any to come from the very top of the U.S. government, come at a delicate moment, as the International Atomic Energy Commission discusses its response to Iran's recalcitrance.
[...]
"The international community has spelled out what Iran must do that means suspend all enrichment activity," presidential spokesman Scott McClellan said ahead of Bush's meeting with Lavrov today.

This all sounds vaguely familiar. Hop into the Way Back Machine with me to another period of sabre rattling back in 2002:

President Bush made clear yesterday that the United States is willing to take on Iraq by itself if the United Nations fails to "show some backbone" by confronting Saddam Hussein.
[...]
Vice President Dick Cheney echoed Bush. "We'd prefer to do this on an international basis with the approval and cooperation and support of other nations," he said in a CNN interview. "This is deemed to be such an important issue and such an important problem that we will address [it] by ourselves if we have to."
[...]
"This is the chance for the United Nations to show some backbone and resolve as we confront the true challenges of the 21st century," Bush said.
[...]
His administration is seeking a new U.N. resolution giving Iraq a firm deadline, just weeks away, to disarm or face dire consequences. Discussions at the United Nations continue this week on a range of issues, mainly about what to do if Hussein fails to comply.

Well, at least today's rattling is not at the dire threat level...