Source: Voice of Russia
The United States, Britain and France have begun to
deploy troops in the Gulf in a move which experts say suggests
preparations for a war with Iran. The first strikes could be carried out
at the beginning of the summer, media reports say.
According
to reports, troops are arriving at Masirah Island in Oman which is
located south of the Strait of Hormuz where a US air base is deployed.
Two American strike groups are currently stationed in the Gulf. Some
reports say that the grouping will be reinforced with one more aircraft
carrier, the destroyer Momsen and the nuclear submarine Annapolis. The
US is also enhancing its presence in Israel and Kuwait. British troops
and troops from the United Arab Emirates have been arriving in Saudi
Arabia. The main target is Iran, whose nuclear program has long been an
issue of particular concern in the West. Reports leaked out into the
press that hundreds of penetration bombs capable of destroying heavily
fortified underground bunkers have been delivered to an American base on
the British Island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
The
Strait of Hormuz, a major waterway for the transportation of Gulf oil
to regions across the world, serves as yet another pretext for going
into open confrontation. Tehran has threatened to block it, and the
allies are getting ready to strike if it keeps its word. However, none
of the countries involved is prepared for war, Vladimir Sazhin of the
Institute of Oriental Studies, says.
"All countries
involved in this conflict are facing domestic problems. An election race
has got under way in the US. Parliamentary elections in Iran have been
set for March 2nd, and presidential elections have been scheduled for
the summer of 2013. France’s presidential elections are just round the
corner, and Europe as a whole is too preoccupied with its own economic
problems to handle another war."
However, a
concentration of military forces in the Gulf creates an explosive
situation in the region. One accidental shot would be enough to trigger
fire on both sides. If that happens, Vladimir Sazhin says, the allies
will have a clear advantage.
"Should military
operations start, the United States will send powerful naval groups
backed by a large number of planes, and strategic bombers will fly from
the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. The US will be joined by
Britain, France and Arab oil-producing monarchies in the Gulf. Iran has
no allies in the region. Syria is not in the best of shape to support
it. Tehran can count only on Hezbollah in Lebanon and possibly, on Hamas
in Gaza."
The most unpleasant thing about all this
is that the deployment of troops in the Gulf and stoking tensions may
disrupt talks between Iran and international organizations. Many
countries, first of all Russia, believe that neither using force nor
imposing sanctions will help resolve the conflict. Russia’s Ambassador
to the UN Vitaly Churkin has this to say.
"Sanctions
have long become ineffective, so the Iranian issue has no room in the UN
Security Council. The six-party talks on Iran and talks between the
IAEA and Iran should take center stage on the international agenda
because they give some hope. IAEA representatives are currently visiting
Iran to look into the possibilities of arranging a six-party meeting
with Iran. Even though there is hope, the increasing confrontation
between the West and Iran is causing more and more concern. The Iran
problem is going to be the hottest in 2012."
All
countries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization share Russia’s
concern. China is yet another major international player opposed to a
military campaign against Iran. Unfortunately, neither protests from
China, nor warnings from Russia have had any effect on the allies as
they step up preparations for a new Middle East conflict
