PanARMENIAN.Net
Peace in the region dictates price for oil
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran excludes the possibility of armed
attacks on the part of the USA and Israel, as well as any other
military operations in its region till January 2009.
08.07.2008 GMT+04:00
The Iranian issue is again а priority for the world brought
forth by several factors. One of the essential, though far not the
most important factor is yearning of US President Bush to complete his
office `with dignity’. No one in the President’s administration speaks
of the possible failure, though such turn of events is quite probable,
even predictable. The background information on Iran, its nuclear
program and the possible war of the US against the Islamic Republic of
Iran bears a close analogy with the eve of the U.S. intrusion into
Iraq in 2003.
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ However, American generals declare the unfeasibility
of opening the third front. The other day Admiral Michael Mallen,
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Military Forces, noted
that military operation against Iran would be `too difficult’ for the
US Armed Forces.
Fuel was added to the fire by Israel, which `does not exclude the
possibility of using force to make Iran give up the operations of
enriching uranium.’ The position of Tel-Aviv is logical – Iranian
missiles `Shahab’ fly up to the boundary of Israel and even to
Nathanza, where nuclear facilities are located. Meanwhile the Foreign
Minister of Iran declares at a press conference in the UN that `Iran
excludes the possibility of armed attacks on the part of the USA and
Israel, as well as any other military operations in its region till
January 2009.’ Such rumours are periodically circulated in Mass Media,
increasing fear of the market to face instability in the area of the
Persian Gulf and pushing up the price for oil.
Foreign Minister of Iran motivates his position with the view that
Israel has not yet recovered from the invasion into Lebanon in
2006. `And the US cannot afford another war at the expense of its
tax-payers,’ Mottaki declares. At the same time the diplomat notes
that the sanctions applied by the Security Council have in no way
blown up the defensive potential of the country, though they called
the country to break cooperation with Tehran. `Our country is
all-sufficient on the military-defensive level,’ underlines Mottaki.
The FM of Tehran also assures he will soon consider the promising
suggestions of the `Big Six’ of international mediators to regulate
the nuclear problem in Iran. He is sure that the document empoweres
his country to use atom for peaceful purposes.
In his turn Oil Minister of Iran Gholam Hossein Nozari declares: `The
price for oil will boost in case of aggression against Iran. Any
attempt of attack on Iran will be met strictly. Even a statement on
the possibility of aggression can provoke fluctuations of oil price
with amplitude of $10-15. But in case Iran is attacked the price for
the `black gold’ will become unpredictable,’ Nozari is certain.
`Security of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which passes 80%
of the oil mined in the area of the Persian Gulf, is under the
responsibility of the region’s countries. And Iran, being the regional
power-holder, plays a key role in this area,’ the Oil Minister states.
`Relations between the United States and Iran should be viewed in
diplomatic, military and economic aspects,’ declares Richard
Giragosian, Contributing analyst at Jane’s Information Group. `After
the 9/11 the American-Iranian relations entered a new stage. The
United States launched a campaign against Taliban, which served Iran’s
purpose. However, the war on terrorism drew Iran into the `axis of
evil.’ The U.S. inaccurate control over the post-war Iraq helped Iran
to grow into a regional power-holder. As to Iran’s nuclear program, it
is a matter of national dignity and response to the nuclear threat
from Israel and, quite possibly, from Pakistan and India too.’
Discussing a possible U.S. attack on Iran, the American expert says,
`It will be inefficient and unproductive. The American army is
over-occupied with Iraq and Afghanistan and its technical facilities
are limited. But the most important factor is that, in case of
aggression, pro-governmental and pro-oppositional forces of Iran will
unite in defense of their homeland.’
`Presently the U.S. position is to prevent Iran’s influence over Iraq,
which becomes especially apparent in the delivery of weapons to
Shiites by `Hezbollah,’ Giragosian considers. `At the same time, the
Iranian factor is a serious challenge for the U.S.-Russia
relations. Washington is arriving at a conclusion that she’d better
talk to Iran rather than threaten her. However the President’s
administration is not ready for such steps. I am hopeful that with
coming to power, Barack Obama will change the U.S. attitude toward
Iran,’ notes Giragosian.
`As for Armenia it has a unique chance to become a bridge between Iran
on the one hand and the U.S. and EU on the other. Azerbaijan cannot be
viewed on this level, since it experiences problems with Iran. This
perspective is of great importance to Armenian and the Armenian
authorities should seize the opportunity,’ Giragosian concludes.
«PanARMENIAN.Net» ; analytical department