A possible war with Iran?

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner says the world should prepare for war over Iran's nuclear programme.

Iran has been a thorn in the side of the USA since the Islamic Revolution. The USA has since done all that was in its power to curb its influence and weakening it by supporting Iraq in its war it in the 80s of the last century. It was then seen as a destabilizing force as it sought to export its brand of Islam to the rest of the Muslim world, especially neighbouring countries, thus threatening the established regimes and the interests of the USA.

Iran looks more threatening because it has gone beyond the phase of propaganda to that of trying to be a superpower in the region. What is worrying about Iran is that it is going its way, meeting threats and sanctions from the West with more determination and defiance. It can be argued that in view of the huge oil reserves Iran has, it can build more oil refineries to meet its energy needs without resorting to a controversial nuclear energy program. Nuclear energy program has become a source of national pride in Iran, on which the regime is basing its popularity to appear as the only one in the region standing up to the influence of the West. The USA has military bases in the region. Iran tries to look as up to the challenge to face any military attack. But in the eye of the USA, the case of Iran has become an urgent matter. It can be just a question of when to launch an attack on it in case all diplomacy fails and all are in a race against time. Iran hurrying to complete its program and the US seeking to strike before Iran become a de-facto nuclear power.

Whether Iran is really seeking to be a nuclear power or not, it shouldn’t seek to bite more than it can chew. In case it mounts a stiff challenge it can stand alone on the world stage subject to unleashed attacks from all sides. The Iranians must consider the outcome of their intransigence. In case big countries like Russia turn a blind eye to a possible US nuclear strike against Iran, it is the Iranian regime that will lose. The world will not sacrifice its interests for the sake of Iran. The Iranians should take the example of Iraq that was invaded despite opposition from influential countries like France and Germany. When its turn comes it can be dealt a heavy blow although the tension will remain. For the US and its allies the threat of sporadic fights is far better than the threat of a nuclear attack that can reach its soil and that of its allies.