Opinion | Columnists
Tension over nuclear issue
United States, Israel and Russia are pulling in different directions as confusion increases over Tehran's nuclear programme.
- By Mohammad Akef Jamal, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 23:10 July 19, 2009
Iran's nuclear programme is back in the limelight. The programme was recently highlighted on three occasions. US Vice-President Joseph Biden apparently signalled that the Obama Administration would not stand in the way if Israel chose to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.
This statement seemed to give Israel the green light for military action to eliminate Iran's nuclear threat.
Interviewed by ABC later, Biden appeared to depart from his previous comment.
Asked about the possibility of an Israeli attack against Iran's nuclear facilities, Biden replied, "Israel can determine for itself - it's a sovereign nation - what's in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else."
This emphasis on Israel's sovereign decision is the US Administration's way to underline its innocence, in case US interests are affected by any Israeli move.
US President Barack Obama denied allegations that the US had given Israel the green light to strike Iran.
Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities could have grave consequences and would be "very destabilising".
The failure to reach an agreement between the US and Israel over the Iranian nuclear dossier, and the advanced level of Israeli preparations has forced the US to concentrate on Israel's stand on Iran.
Israel considers the Iranian nuclear programme a strategic threat to its existence. It also believes its security has to stem from its own vision and backed by its procedures. Hence, Israel will not remain under the US umbrella while suspecting its policies.
Tehran was also quick to respond to Biden's statements, through Dr Ali Larijani, speaker of the Islamic Shura Council, who warned that Iran "will consider the Americans responsible" for any Israeli adventure.
Israel on the other hand kept silent as it strengthened its tactical position by sending a submarine to the Red Sea, indicating that it is ready to mobilise. The move also signalled that Israel's air defences and marine forces can easily reach Iran's shores.
In choosing to send its advanced Dolphin submarine, carrying nuclear warheads, Israel emphasised its preparedness to deploy nuclear warheads.
The US raised the issue of Iran's nuclear programme at a summit with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Obama offered to scrap its European missile shield in Europe if Russia persuaded Tehran to give up its nuclear programme. The US stand was that the shield was unnecessary if the Iranian nuclear programme is neutralised.
Russia, however, does not believe Iran will change its nuclear programme for peaceful purposes into a military one. Moscow was always keen on distancing itself from Iran's internal affairs and did not interfere in the latest events after the Iranian elections.
Russia took a further step in enhancing its relations with Iran when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended the Shanghai Organisation for Cooperation Summit as an observer.
The third occasion when Iran's nuclear programme was on media focus was at the G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy, when Obama warned Iran that the world will not wait indefinitely for it to end its nuclear defiance. He set a September deadline for Tehran to comply.
The developments portend grave events. A clash with Iran seems inevitable and closer than previously thought. The US has failed to convince Russia to change its soft stand towards Iran.
It has also failed to contain Israel and secure its affiliation to the US strategy towards Iran. The US also failed to convince Iran that it is not behind Israel's aggressive posture.
The US diplomatic strategy towards Iran is also in trouble. Talks with Iran have become difficult after the political stance of the US and its European allies over Iran's poll outcome.
Iran is adamant about its nuclear programme.
So are we closer today to witnessing the application of threats that will shake the entire region? Or is there a chance for peaceful manoeuvres?
The latest events have shown the weakness of the US Administration and contradictions within its leadership. Biden's statements may well encourage all Iranians, including those who oppose Ahmadinejad, to unite around the Iranian nuclear programme, which is not what Obama wants.
Dr Mohammad Akef Jamal is an Iraqi writer based in Dubai.
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