Arab Perspective: Raising an objection to a 'nuclear' Iran

On Saturday, the UN nuclear watchdog passed a resolution that paved the way for Iran to be referred to the UN Security Council over its nuclear ambitions. This development featured heavily in most Arabic newspapers. Many were critical of the move while some praised Iran's handling of the situation. All agreed that the situation had tensed up following the decision. Manal Alafrangi reviews what was said

According to Joseph Smaha of Al Bayan (UAE), the US classifies countries with nuclear power/potential differently. He says there is a nuclear power that the US (and by extension the UN Security Council) refuses to mention by name: Israel.

Also, there are nuclear countries that Washington initially punishes through sanctions then decides to forgive and strengthen its relationship with and forms treaties (of nuclear dimensions) with: India and to a lesser extent, Pakistan.

Then there are countries that claim they can come up with a nuclear bomb. But Washington participates in six-nation talks with: North Korea. Finally, there is a country that the US is conducting indirect talks with; America is adamant that its people don't enjoy any nuclear knowledge: Iran.

The writer articulates, "America is doing one of two things: either transforming the world into a forest of untraditional weapons or monopolising the right of using force and forbidding anyone else (in particular regional powers) from rising unless that power is subservient to them."

In terms of Israel's role in the latest developments, Salah Al Muntasar of Al Ahram (Egypt) forcefully argues that there is a link between Israel's Gaza withdrawal and the sudden decision to transfer Iran's nuclear file to the UN Security Council (as well as the attempts to isolate Syria's current leadership under Bashar Al Assad).

Israel he contends, is insisting that Iran be stripped off its nuclear ambitions even if their programme is solely intended to generate energy.

Al Muntasar argues uranium enrichment will soon be one of the most sought after sources of energy given the current status of the oil market.

He says the problem is Israel is "managing Washington's politics for its own benefits and the Jewish state wants to immediately cash in on the price of withdrawing from Gaza at the expense of Iran and all the Arab and Western countries".

In an article entitled "Best form of defence is attack" in Al Watan (Oman), Zuhair Majid writes Iranians are moving towards defending their country and their way of rule and they are closely monitoring the American/European campaign against their peaceful nuclear project.

This comes after legal assurances from the highest authority in Iran that their country will not proceed with building nuclear weapons.

Moreover, Iranians know that American efforts have succeeded in bringing a state of tension to the region surrounding Iraq.

The writer says, "perhaps the Americans would like to ignite a war fuse if it means a successful replacement to an American Israeli war against Iran".

Rasmi Hamza of Al Dustoor (Jordan) also discusses America's position regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions. He says despite America's threats and general uproar against Iran, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad managed to stand confident and poised at the UN in New York.

The writer looks into reasons why the US (and Europe) is causing an uproar. He states: "Iran stands over huge oil reserves and it alone controls production levels amidst the craziness surrounding oil prices."

The writer argues that in that regard, Iran can severely punish both the US and Europe (not to mention Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, a major passage for international oil carriers).

Hamza concludes: "We don't think the American catastrophe in Iraq is what's stopping the superpower from directing a disciplinary hit [or broadening its liberation campaign] on to other parts of the region.

"Rather, the fact that Iran has control over the movement of Gulf oil carriers and production levels [as well as oil prices] are more convincing reasons behind the US's inability to conduct a military attack on the grounds."

The result is the region is facing a state of ambiguity, instability and decline, the writer adds.

An editorial by Al Quds Al Arabi (London) says Europe's decision to transfer Iran's nuclear file to the UN Security Council is the same as declaring war; this act certainly affects the current strategic plans in the Middle East region because Iran clearly decided to defy this decision and continue with its uranium enrichment.

This, in turn, opens the door for all sorts of possibilities.

In terms of the bigger picture, the paper says Iran has succeeded (even if temporarily) over all American and Israeli operations of terrorisation (as well as intimidation).

Iran has also provided its Arab neighbours a lesson on how to deal with the most powerful nation in the world in a way that doesn't affect a country's pride.

Arab governments, according to this editorial, have shown that they are followers and subservient to America's way; they agree to carry out US policies without hesitation.

These governments "did not develop weapons or nuclear programmes, failed in economic development and democratisation".

Iran, on the other hand, has a strength which stems from its democratic basis and the support of its people. The country is rich with skilled and hardworking people in all fields and all these attributes are nowhere to be found in the Arab world.