The instability in the Middle East cannot be understood without confronting one central issue, that is, Iran’s nuclear ambitions. For decades, this single factor has cast a long shadow over regional geopolitics, deepening mistrust, intense militarization, and the region seeing some conflict or the other at any given point of time.
The current war is not an isolated incident. It is the culmination of years of unresolved tensions, in which the specter of a nuclear-armed Iran has remained a thorn not only in the troubled Middle East but also for the world. Iran, for instance, is already accused of creating proxy terror regimes or Islamic fundamentalist structures in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq to needle the Arab countries.
And Israel.
Iran has declared it wants to destroy Israel, and Tel Aviv joined the US in attacking the Iranian proxies in its neighbourhood.
The Islamic regime that seized power after a revolution in the clergy against the Shah (King) of Iran’s efforts towards liberal governance and education for women, is ruthless and has allegedly killed girls as young as 13-14 for defying the fundamentalists’ diktat by simply expressing the freedom of life to breathe without the veil. Education is restricted for girls.
President Trump has described the hardline Mullahs holding power in Tehran as “mentally unstable and dangerous,” while Vice President JD Vance has declared that the current Administration of Mr Trump is not going to leave this problem of the Iranian nuclear terror for future US Presidents to resolve.
Iran is believed by the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, to possess some 450 kg of Uranium enriched to 60-65 percent or more. It has denied that it is making The Bomb but has not allowed international inspectors to verify. Uranium has to be enriched to 90-95 percent to be called bomb grade.
It has been telling the world that its programme is to ensure energy security and scientific advancement, and that it has sovereign rights to pursue its ambitions for peaceful nuclear energy. US and European countries believe that the Iranian nuclear enrichment processing is far beyond any civilian requirements.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also expressed concern and observed that a nuclear Iran would be very difficult for the world. Europe has not taken part in the US War on Iran but mostly regards a nuclear Iran as a threat to world peace.
On February 28, US Air Force tried to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow and Isfahan, located 6,000 to 8,000 feet underground in hard rock mountains in deep, zigzag tunnels.
Trump has claimed total destruction but there is no clarity on where the 450 kg of Uranium is.
There is something called Opportunity Bargain in business. After the US attacks, Iran took the opportunity on March 4 to assert its exclusive control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, from which the Gulf countries export some 25 percent of global oil supplies.
The Strait, 34 km at its narrowest and closer to Iranian shores, has been an open international waterway historically within the Persian or Arabian Gulf – depending upon which side you are. Iran imposed a blockade, allowing tankers by clearance, and then US imposed another blockade to check ships with destination Iran.
The War is On, and the world needs a peaceful resolution to two problems now: A Nuclear Iran and a Blocked Strait of Hormuz.
— Gulshan Rai Luthra
