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Home > Publications > Iran Update > Issue 2.31 | ||
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President Bush visited Israel this past week, the highlight of a conference to celebrate Israel’s 60th anniversary which was attended by over two thousand leaders from all over the world, and a reaffirmation of the special relationship between the US and Israel. He continued on in the Middle East, to Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. This visit took place under the shadow of military operations in the region already underway, in Beirut and in Gaza. Iran-led Hamas stepped up attacks, greeting the Bush visit with a Qassam barrage. A death recently resulted from a mortar attack on Israel, the first since the disengagement. And west Beirut was taken over in a matter of days by Syria-surrogate Hezbollah, which is under the control of Iran.
This is a real crisis for the region. The offensive is against US allies, not only Lebanon, and that is Tehran’s battle plan. They will not start in the Gulf but, as dominating it is their aim, they will begin by weakening the opposition, pick off Beirut, and dare everyone else to go to war. Israel sees Iran all over. Lebanon is in the hands of Syria and Iran, which is a loss for the US. Syria is under Iranian control and Gaza in the hands of Hamas. And although this has been compared to a cold war, it is in actuality a three-dimensional chess game, for huge stakes. And Tehran is playing it like a true chessmaster. President Bush Calls Iran ‘single biggest threat’ to Mideast Peace – Ahead of a visit to the Middle East, President George W. Bush called the Iranian regime the biggest threat because of its nuclear program and its support of terrorist groups. Iran Role ‘Clearly Visible in Attack on Israel – A rocket attack from Gaza at the heart of a major Israeli city during President Bush’s visit may signify a major escalation in the confrontation between pro-American countries and Iran-Backed Islamist forces. Iran to Offer Solution to Nuke Dispute – Taking a tough stance, Ahmedinejad says nothing will stop Iran from acquiring nuclear technology. An Iranian package presented to the EU does not specifically address concerns over its nuclear ambitions. Smuggling to Iran Rife in Dangerous Gulf Waters – Smugglers pile boxes high on their speedboats, covering them with tarps before zipping off on the short but dangerous journey from Oman to Iran, through the Strait of Hormuz. Criticism of OMV-Iran Deal - Two leading Jewish organizations, World Jewish Congress and B’nai B’rith, criticized the Austrian oil and gas company OMV’s planned deal with Iran on the eve of the main OMV shareholders’ meeting. The Directors of OMV were asked uncomfortable questions about the moral propriety of the deal at the meeting. EU Condemns Iran Leader’s anti-Israel Remarks – Iran’s president said that Israel was “dying” and the people in the Middle East would destroy it if given the chance. The EU presidency called Ahmedinejad’s remarks against Israel “unacceptable, damaging and uncivilized.” Saudi Arabia Criticizes Iranian Support of Hezbollah – Signifying rising regional tensions over the conflict in Lebanon, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisel said that Iran’s relations with Arab countries would be affected by its support for Hezbollah. Iran Suspends Talks with US on Security in Iraq – Iran and the US have held three rounds of ambassador-level talks on security on Iraq since last May. The US has accused Iran of supporting Shiite militias in Iraq, as Iran blames the violence in Iraq on the US presence. Spread of Nuclear Capability is Feared – At least 40 developing countries from the Persian Gulf regions to Latin America have recently approached UN officials to signal interest in starting nuclear power programs. NATO warns More Nations could Follow Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions – The Secretary General of NATO has warned that the possibility that Syria could be building a weapons-capable nuclear reactor shows that NATO must find an answer to ballistic missile threats. Australian PM Rudd Mulls Court Action Against Ahmedinejad – PM Kevin Rudd of Australia says his government is taking legal advice on whether it will take Iran’s president to the International Court of Justice for incitement against Israel. Russia says “SIX” could Guarantee Iran Security – The six powers negotiating with Iran to suspend its enrichment of uranium could offer Tehran a combination of security guarantees and incentives. Meanwhile, President Bush has asked Congress to review a civilian nuclear deal with Russia but lawmakers warned that it may blocked over Moscow’s links to Iran’s nuclear program. Sergey Mirinov, chairman of the upper house of Russia’s parliament, said that a nuclear Iran would be a threat to global peace and that Russia will not allow it to happen. Kissinger: Timetable Needed to Combat Global Nuclear Threat – Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger warned that the Iranian nuclear threat facing in Israel is in fact a global danger and existential threat to the world. Reuel Marc Gerecht, “Countering Iran,” Weekly Standard, May 19, 2008 – The Iranian clerical regime is causing trouble on the West Bank and Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, the Persian Gulf and Iraq. The Hamas-Hezbollah axis is a dream come true for Tehran as they allow Iran’s rulers to be frontline combatants against Israel. Fouad Ajami, “Iran Must Finally Pay a price,” Wall Street Journal, May 5, 2008 - We tell the Iranians that the military option is “on the table.” But three decades of playing cat-and-mouse with American power have emboldened Iran’s rulers, to our detriment. Emanuele Ottolenghi, “Human Rights and the Basis for EU Sanctions Against Iran,” Washington Institute, April 30, 2008 Thomas L. Friedman, “ The New Cold War with Iran,” New York Times, May 14, 2008 -The real story in the Middle East today is the struggle for influence in the region, with America and its allies versus Iran, Syria and their non-state actors, Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran’s ruthless strategy has created a situation that will lead to bitter fighting should anyone try to attack its atomic facilities. Memri,”Iranian Papers on Events in Lebanon,” may 12, 2008 - Iran’s government press expressed support for Hezbollah’s recent attacks in Lebanon, and called Hezbollah “one of the regional arms of Iran (in the Middle East).” The papers said that Iran will be the victor against the US in the Middle East power struggle. Greg Miller, “Political Clashes Underline Limits to Intelligence Reform,” Los Angeles Times, May 15, 2008 -The NIE report stunned the diplomatic world , touching off a political storm that has barely abated after five months. Editorial, “Iran Pumps Iron in the Middle East, “Christian Science Monitor, May 15, 2008 - In the great Shiite-Sunni Muslim clash that cleaves the Middle East, score one for Iran’s radical Shiite theocracy. Through its proxy, Hezbollah, Iran has shown it can be the real power in Lebanon. And it took only a few days to do it. Irwin Cotler, “The Gathering Storm, and Beyond,” Jerusalem Post, May 14, 2008 - The incendiary hate language emanating from Ahmedinejad’s Iran- in which Israel is referred to as “filthy bacteria” and a “cancerous tumor” and Jews are characterized as “a bunch of bloodthirsty barbarians” – is on the head wind of the gathering storm confronting Israel on its 60th anniversary. Matthias Kuntzel, “The Tehran-Berlin Axis,” Wall Street Journal, May 15, 2008 - While Chancellor Merkel argues for tougher sanctions, Germany’s foreign policy establishment preaches accommodation. Germany is the world’s second largest exporter to Iran, and its products are crucial for Iran’s economic survival. Ahmedinejad Sacks Interior Minister – This is the ninth cabinet change in three years, signifying his blame on his officials rather than on his failed policies. Iran’s Central Bank Chief at Odds with Ahmedinejad – The head of Iran’s central Bank is at odds with the president over interest rates, the latest criticism of his economic policies. Italy Sets Sights on ‘Very Firm” Approach to Iran - Italy’s new center-right government is prepared to join the US and the big European powers in taking a tough line on Iran. US Alerts Banks To Risks of Iran Support – The Bush administration is seeking to broaden the scope of its enforcement tools to rein in Iran’s nuclear program, including greater scrutiny of global banks that my be violating US export control rules by financing prohibited trans actions. Shell and Repsol Drop Iran Gas Project – Royal Dutch Shell and Spain’s Repsol have pulled out of one of Iran’s biggest gas project, dealing a blow to Tehran’s attempts to expand energy exports. Iran Looks to Tap Key Oil Field - As Iran faces a threat of tighter UN sanctions and American financial pressure over its nuclear ambitions, the country has a new drive to tap its oil riches on its own. US Families Sue UBS Over Alleged Terror Links – US victims of attacks in Israel and their families are suing Swiss bank UBS for 500 million dollars, alleging it financed terrorism by doing business with Iran. The case is called a civil action for “international terrorism, wrongful death, personal injury and related torts.” Qatar, Iran Sign Labor Agreement – Qatar and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on the employment of Iranian labor in Qatar. |