Iran and the US have had no diplomatic relations, as such, for some time. That does not stop what dealings they do have from worsening. Iran has undertaken war games, or military and naval exercises, which some would say were simply designed to show military strength and send out a stark warning to the West.
The US and its western allies have recently berated Iran for its developing nuclear program. Iran claims its nuclear development is for energy but the west believes it is to amass a nuclear arsenal and launch a strike on Israel.
As usual the hypocrisy of it all is laughable. Countries with huge destructive capabilities chiding a country who appears to be going down a similar route.
Many years ago the West, and in particular the US, ran scared of Russia and its nuclear arsenal. It was always inferred that western leaders were somehow more trustworthy, when it came to having the power to destroy the world. The same thing is happening now. Countries such as Iran are felt to be too volatile to have the same weapons as their western counterparts. That country's leader is thought to be a madman. That can be the only conclusion such fear and warmongering is trying to create.
This does not mean that the leader of Iran is to be trusted. But then neither are Western leaders. When all is said and done they look after themselves first and then their country's population second. Yes in that order.
The US has its Fifth Fleet stationed in the Gulf. Iran has threatened to close down the Strait of Hormuz, which is used by oil tankers supplying western nations. The Fifth Fleet will not allow that to happen. Fact.
Both sides have in some ways made the threats which are so often a precursor to full scale war. Today, January 2, 2011, the deputy naval commander of Iran's navy said, "We have successfully test-fired long-range shore-to-sea and surface-to-surface missiles, called Qader (Capable) and Nour (Light) today."
The Iranian War Games have been ongoing for ten days and short range missiles have already been launched. Today's long range missiles are thought to be able to strike a distance of 125 miles, but it could be more. This would not be far enough to hit the US fleet in the Gulf nor Israel.
Israel has joined in the war of words. It believes that Iran is no match for the Western forces. Israel has however called for tougher economic sanctions against Iran accompanied by "a credible military option as a last resort." More warmongering all in the name of peace.
Reuters has reported that, "President Barack Obama signed new sanctions against Iran into law on Saturday, stepping up the pressure with sanctions on financial institutions that deal with Iran's central bank. If enforced strictly, the sanctions could make it nearly impossible for most refiners to buy crude from Iran, the world's fourth biggest producer".
Whilst the West and Israel may shout hoorah other nations, including Iran, could see all of this as an act of war. Iran appears ready to begin fresh talks with EU representatives. That should be the way forward. Not a gung-ho, cavalier attitude which the US is showing. That is an approach which has one eye on the next home election and one on what Israel wants.
There is a lot more at stake than that. Getting it right has never been so important. Flexing a country's muscles and showing strength is one thing. Even considering starting yet another conflict is sheer madness.
The US and its western allies have recently berated Iran for its developing nuclear program. Iran claims its nuclear development is for energy but the west believes it is to amass a nuclear arsenal and launch a strike on Israel.
As usual the hypocrisy of it all is laughable. Countries with huge destructive capabilities chiding a country who appears to be going down a similar route.
Many years ago the West, and in particular the US, ran scared of Russia and its nuclear arsenal. It was always inferred that western leaders were somehow more trustworthy, when it came to having the power to destroy the world. The same thing is happening now. Countries such as Iran are felt to be too volatile to have the same weapons as their western counterparts. That country's leader is thought to be a madman. That can be the only conclusion such fear and warmongering is trying to create.
This does not mean that the leader of Iran is to be trusted. But then neither are Western leaders. When all is said and done they look after themselves first and then their country's population second. Yes in that order.
The US has its Fifth Fleet stationed in the Gulf. Iran has threatened to close down the Strait of Hormuz, which is used by oil tankers supplying western nations. The Fifth Fleet will not allow that to happen. Fact.
Both sides have in some ways made the threats which are so often a precursor to full scale war. Today, January 2, 2011, the deputy naval commander of Iran's navy said, "We have successfully test-fired long-range shore-to-sea and surface-to-surface missiles, called Qader (Capable) and Nour (Light) today."
The Iranian War Games have been ongoing for ten days and short range missiles have already been launched. Today's long range missiles are thought to be able to strike a distance of 125 miles, but it could be more. This would not be far enough to hit the US fleet in the Gulf nor Israel.
Israel has joined in the war of words. It believes that Iran is no match for the Western forces. Israel has however called for tougher economic sanctions against Iran accompanied by "a credible military option as a last resort." More warmongering all in the name of peace.
Reuters has reported that, "President Barack Obama signed new sanctions against Iran into law on Saturday, stepping up the pressure with sanctions on financial institutions that deal with Iran's central bank. If enforced strictly, the sanctions could make it nearly impossible for most refiners to buy crude from Iran, the world's fourth biggest producer".
Whilst the West and Israel may shout hoorah other nations, including Iran, could see all of this as an act of war. Iran appears ready to begin fresh talks with EU representatives. That should be the way forward. Not a gung-ho, cavalier attitude which the US is showing. That is an approach which has one eye on the next home election and one on what Israel wants.
There is a lot more at stake than that. Getting it right has never been so important. Flexing a country's muscles and showing strength is one thing. Even considering starting yet another conflict is sheer madness.
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