Beating drums of war, once again

Afew days after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief praised Iran's cooperation with the nuclear watchdog comes a startling warning from France that the world should "brace for war" with Iran.

The warning triggered alarm in the Middle East and the rest of the world. This vital region has had more than its fair share of conflicts and gets nervous when people start talking about war.

The region had thought the issue of whether to hit Iran or not was over. The opposition of regional leaders to any plan to attack the neighbouring Muslim country was clearly conveyed to the US administration.

We just cannot afford another war.

Then came the good news from the IAEA's Mohammad Al Baradei. He said the timetable for inspection agreed with Iran in August could lead to Iranian cooperation that "would go a long way towards building confidence about Iran's nuclear programme, and could create the conditions for a comprehensive and durable solution".

Thus it is surprising, and disappointing, to hear French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner saying the world has to prepare for a possible war with Iran. He thinks the standoff over Iran's nuclear programme is "the greatest crisis" of present times.

The statement is a setback for all the efforts that were exerted over the past four years to ease the tension and convince Iran to open up its controversial programme to international inspection.

The French minister, a former peace activist, is playing into the hands of the US administration which cannot seem to get out of the Iraq mess.