Added Sanctions in a Dismal Atmosphere
Commentary by Dr. Jalal Sadatian, international affairs analyst.
Long-range missile tests show how Iran has advanced its missile technology. The tests, nevertheless, have sparked reactions from the international community, the most substantial from former U.S. president George W. Bush who decided to actualize plans on deploying missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.
The shield however raised concerns among Russian leaders. United States has always been trying to persuade Russians that the shield is not a scarecrow for them, but something to protect West from Iran’s threats. Moscow has never stopped to regard the system a threat against its national security however. The story of the defense shield is still on the agenda of Russia-US negotiations, as are concerns about the range of Iranian missiles.
Besides this concern, West believes that Iran is pursuing a covert military nuclear program. Iran’s insistence on continuing uranium enrichment inside the country is considered as a ruse to convert the final product into material which can be used in nuclear warhead. A likely combination of nuclear and missile technology turns Iran into a threat for the region, the United States and European Union according to West.
Israel is the actor taking the utmost advantage of this situation. The Jewish state juxtaposes Iran’s nuclear and missile projects with Ahmadinejad’s talks about Israeli being wiped off the map to run a threat campaign against Iran’s missile tests and uranium enrichment program.
Iran’s domestic developments and some political remarks inside the country have also made the issue more complicated. There are countries which doubt Iran’s insistence on the peaceful nature of the nuclear program, try to take advantage of the post-election unrest in Iran and influence the direction of West’s decision with their influence.
With his last report, former IAEA chief Mohammad ElBaradei added substance to the United States and EU’s concerns. None of the previous IAEA reports had led Iran’s envoy to this organization to talk with frustration. The Iranian representative tried to focus on the positive points after the release of each account; however, Ali Asghar Soltaniyeh’s recent tone shows that he is quite dissatisfied with UN watchdog’s attitude towards Iran’s nuclear program.
Nowadays, the United States is also saying that it will not wait forever for Iran’s nod to begin negotiations. September was the deadline for Iran’s response, extended by West after Iran presented a new proposal package. West has agreed to receive and study the package and wait for Iran’s response until the UN General Assembly.
History shows that suspicion dominates Western mindset against, though they are trying to have their final words with our country. Israel is also pressuring the international community to treat Iran harsher. West is not succumbing to Israel’s demands but it is heeding its concerns.
’Added sanctions’ is the most serious option West has in mind. The United States and Europe are not in a position to wage another war, this time against Iran. However, military strike can be an option if the circumstances are favorable, e.g. when the economic indicators are pointing up and when transatlantic bonds are stronger and more trustful. Economy is returning to pre-crisis and Obama’s presidency has improved US-Europe relations. So we have to wait and see if the military strike turns into a popular option.
The shield however raised concerns among Russian leaders. United States has always been trying to persuade Russians that the shield is not a scarecrow for them, but something to protect West from Iran’s threats. Moscow has never stopped to regard the system a threat against its national security however. The story of the defense shield is still on the agenda of Russia-US negotiations, as are concerns about the range of Iranian missiles.
Besides this concern, West believes that Iran is pursuing a covert military nuclear program. Iran’s insistence on continuing uranium enrichment inside the country is considered as a ruse to convert the final product into material which can be used in nuclear warhead. A likely combination of nuclear and missile technology turns Iran into a threat for the region, the United States and European Union according to West.
Israel is the actor taking the utmost advantage of this situation. The Jewish state juxtaposes Iran’s nuclear and missile projects with Ahmadinejad’s talks about Israeli being wiped off the map to run a threat campaign against Iran’s missile tests and uranium enrichment program.
Iran’s domestic developments and some political remarks inside the country have also made the issue more complicated. There are countries which doubt Iran’s insistence on the peaceful nature of the nuclear program, try to take advantage of the post-election unrest in Iran and influence the direction of West’s decision with their influence.
With his last report, former IAEA chief Mohammad ElBaradei added substance to the United States and EU’s concerns. None of the previous IAEA reports had led Iran’s envoy to this organization to talk with frustration. The Iranian representative tried to focus on the positive points after the release of each account; however, Ali Asghar Soltaniyeh’s recent tone shows that he is quite dissatisfied with UN watchdog’s attitude towards Iran’s nuclear program.
Nowadays, the United States is also saying that it will not wait forever for Iran’s nod to begin negotiations. September was the deadline for Iran’s response, extended by West after Iran presented a new proposal package. West has agreed to receive and study the package and wait for Iran’s response until the UN General Assembly.
History shows that suspicion dominates Western mindset against, though they are trying to have their final words with our country. Israel is also pressuring the international community to treat Iran harsher. West is not succumbing to Israel’s demands but it is heeding its concerns.
’Added sanctions’ is the most serious option West has in mind. The United States and Europe are not in a position to wage another war, this time against Iran. However, military strike can be an option if the circumstances are favorable, e.g. when the economic indicators are pointing up and when transatlantic bonds are stronger and more trustful. Economy is returning to pre-crisis and Obama’s presidency has improved US-Europe relations. So we have to wait and see if the military strike turns into a popular option.