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Home > Publications > Iran Update > Issue 2.29 | ||
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Last week, General David Petraeus and Admiral Ryan Crocker testified in Congress on the recent successes in Iraq when, interestingly, the focus of the hearing became Iran. The language used was strong, describing Iranian weapons found in Iraq and describing Iran as the greatest long-term threat to the viability of the Baghdad government. What General Petraeus may have been letting us know was that the Iraq war is manageable but now America has to see this clearly for what it is—a regional problem. Iran has everything to gain or everything to lose in this struggle and it is playing to win. While the United States wants and needs to have a stable government in Iraq, Iran just won’t want to live with a constitutional government next door and so it is doing everything it can to destabilize it -- sending in material, agents and insurgents. Genera Petraeus told Congress that he can handle Iraq itself and that the Iraqis are working with him, but the mullahs in Tehran loom large over the battlefield and what is at stake is not just the question of Iranian influence, but the very viability of the Iraqi regime and all that implies for the region. The last weeks have shown that Iran has poured enormous amounts of money into Syria, huge amounts of cash and weapons into Gaza and into Hezbollah in the Beqaa valley. Since last year, they have been pouring weapons into the southern part of Iraq, thus making war on the Americans and on the Iraqis. Iran’s interfering hand has been evident since 2003. They have infiltrated politics and armies, sent their own mullahs to take over the mosques, and funded their allies with millions of dollars. (See below “The Iran Problem,’” Washington Post, April 9, 2008) The question remains—what can we do about it? There are at least three things that can be done. One, of course, is to stabilize Iraq which will make it as disruptive to Iran as much as Iran is trying to disrupt Iraq. Another is to surround and contain Iran with a better group of Arab countries who are willing to actually do something to address their own fears of a nuclear, hegemonic Tehran. And a third is to do something on the domestic energy front. At over one hundred dollars a barrel of oil Ahmedenijad is a perilous threat to us all but at fifty dollars a barrel he is reduced to a small-time criminal who would not have enough money to subsidize any of the terror groups who serve as his henchmen. In fact, there is so much internal discontent in Iran right now with a population facing a ruinous inflation, wondering why their president has to ration gasoline in a country flowing with oil. This is a crucial time to do something about energy dependency – this is a national security issue and we are not paying attention. The sanctions must be religiously enforced and alternative energy sources have to be developed. President Bush is expected to meet with Pope Benedict XVI momentarily and will speak to him about Iraq, among other things. We hope that Europe is listening and understanding that a failure in Iraq would mean a victory for Iran, which would mean a threat to Europe. Europe must begin to recognize this. Signs of this are evident under Sarkozy and Merkel, but Europe needs to pay more attention and understand what is being taken away from them. If one cannot draw a cartoon in Denmark, put on an opera in Germany, or make a film in Holland, then something terribly valuable is eroding. If they don’t stand up to defend the West, which the United States is trying so hard to protect, they will be in great danger of losing this battle. President Bush must tell the Pope, who is the symbolic religious leader of the West, that he must begin to talk about Europe’s glorious tradition and the need to protect it in order to have a glorious future. We pray for the best outcome of this important meeting. Iran Assembles More Advanced Centrifuges – Iran has assembled hundreds of advanced machines reflecting a possible intention to speed up uranium enrichment. Ahmedinejad: Uranium Enrichment ‘Non-Negotiable’ - Ahmedinejad said that he would reject any new incentives offered by world powers in return for suspending uranium enrichment. He said that Iran has no reason to give up the technology. Can the Arrow Thwart Iran’s Shihab 3? – In the face of Iran’s continued mad race for nuclear power, Israel’s air force will hold exercises to test the Arrow missile defense system’s capability in tracking advanced Iranian Shihab 3 missile. Hezbollah Turns to Iran for New Weapons to Wage War on Israel – Up to 300 men from villages south of the Litani river have been leaving their villages for military training in Iran each month, since November of 2006. As many as 4,500 Hezbollah members have been sent for three-month training sessions. German Firm Helps Iran Monitor Israel – The Munich-based energy and electrical giant Siemens has with “high likelihood” delivered sophisticated data intelligence systems to Iran, according to an Austrian journalist. The systems can be used to track mobile and land phone communications between Israel and Iran. Gen. Petraeus Warns of Iranian Influence in Iraq – Iranian support for Shiite militias poses the gravest threat to securing Iraq’s stability, said the general. Iran Joined Militias in Battle for Basra – Iranian forces were involved in the recent battle for Basra. Military and Intelligence sources believe that Iranians were operating at a tactical command level with the Shi’ite militias fighting Iraqi security forces. Iran Regime “meddling” in Iraqis’ lives – Iraqi Activists – A group of Iraqi Shiite and Sunni human rights activist from across Iraq testified on Iran’s terrorist activities in Iraq. Bush Cites Putin ‘leadership’ on Iran Nuclear Program - President Bush thanked Russia President Putin for Moscow’s efforts to help ease international worries about Iran’s nuclear program. The two countries called on Iran to fully comply with the UN resolutions. Russia said that international negotiators are working on a new incentives package for Iran aimed at persuading it to freeze uranium enrichment. US Secretary Gates Affirms Bush Intention to Use Diplomacy with Iran – Robert Gates visited Oman last week, a longtime US ally with friendly relations with Iran. An aide to Gates told reporters that President Bush is intent on pursuing diplomatic means to solve the international community’s conflict with Iran over its nuclear program. US, Israel Concerned about North Korean Nuclear Cooperation with Iran - The US and Israel seek to pressure North Korea to cease its nuclear cooperation with Iran. This is one of the reasons they agreed to disclose details on the air strike in Syria last September. Tehran’s Murderous Role, Editorial, Washington Times, April 7, 2008 –The explosion of violence which started in Basra and spread to other cities across Iraq late last month is just the latest reminded of the destructive role that Iran is playing in the regions. The violence began when the Iraqi Army attempted to disarm the Mahdi Army, a radical Shiite militia with longstanding ties to Iran. Roger Koppel, “Somebody Stop Calmy-Rey,” Wall Street Journal, April 7, 2008 – Since taking office six years ago, Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey has preached a break with Switzerland’s quiet past. However, her recent visit to Tehran is a threat to Swiss interests. Kimberly Kagan, “The Second Iran-Iraq War,” Wall Street Journal, April 3, 2008 – Iran now causes the majority of the violence and instability in Iraq, a trend that began in July 2007. Senior officials of the Iranian government support and in some cases control illegal armed groups that are fighting American forces and undermining the Iraqi government. Efraim Inbar, “Iran’s Nuclear Strategy: Talk and Build,” Spero News, April 7, 2008 - Iran has long had aspirations to lead the region, not just under the current regime. They believe that they are entitled to have a nuclear bomb and to be in the same rank as the large, important powers of the world. David Ignatius, “The Iran Problem,” Washington Post, April 9, 2008 - Iran’s covert campaign to reshape Iraq has been clear since March 2003. Iranian intelligence officers prepared lists of Iraqis to be assassinated in the weeks and months after the war began, sent Iranian-trained mullahs to take over the mosques, and pumped an estimated $12 million a week in financial support to their allies. Iran: Muslims Should Boycott Dutch Goods - In response to a film by a Dutch lawmaker that accuses the Koran of inciting violence, Iran called on Muslim nations to boycott Dutch products. Iranians Defy Censor by Snapping Up Bootleg DVD’s - Award-winning film-makers are finding life difficult under the Tehran regime. The Women Suffering in Iran – Public executions and other abuses: Iran has long been one of the worst perpetrators of human rights abuses in the modern world. The female population that has most suppressed is becoming forceful in its resistance. Five Britons Held Hostage in Iran – Five British hostages who were kidnapped last year are being held in Tehran, according to reports received by the British Foreign Office. It is believed that a group trained and funded in Iran abducted them. Prayer Leaders Representing Khamenei Warn of Unbridled Inflation – Double digit unemployment in the world’s fourth largest oil producing country do not add up. An Iranian economic minister admitted to “inflation failure.” Maryland Senate Passes Iran Bill – The state of Maryland passes an Iran divestment bill that would require state pension funds to divest from Iran’s energy sector. What You Can Do on Iran – It was a question that plagued Israel’s ambassador to the United States whenever he spoke about Iran. Audience members would ask: What can I do? Seeking to set a personal example, Sallai Meridor decided to place a call to his own pension fund. China’s CNOOC, Iran LNG Deal Delayed on US Concerns – China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC)’s deal with Iran covering the development of the North Pars gas field has been delayed due to US opposition, but talks are still ongoing. China Will Host Talks on Iran Nuclear Resolution – The Un security Council voted on March 3 to tighten trade, ravel and financial sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program. China believes the issue should be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic negotiations. |
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