Perils to Iran
By the Editor

ANALYSING the swiftly changing global scenario, specially the exchange of argumentative words between the US and Iran – Pakistan has called for restraint and dialogue to resolve the controversy over Iran’s nuclear programme.

To this effect, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that Pakistan is opposed to the use of force against Iran as that will lead to devastating consequences for the entire region.

As is well-known, both Iran and the United States are flexing their military muscles. While the US has almost completed its preparations to launch attack on Tehran, the Iranian leadership has shown resolve to fight against such an assault with full might and vigor.

It has also threatened to hit the American interests the world-over if Iran was subjected to any aggression.

True that Iran is a small country with paucity of military hardware as compared to the lone superpower, yet it’s not the weapons alone that can help lead to a victory.

History manifests the reality that Hezbollah’s fight-back and Iraqi fighters’ resistance amply speak of the impact and magnitude of the courage, determination and will to survive with dignity and honour.

Keeping in view the ground realities, it will thus – be advisable for the US to avoid resorting to force to deal with Iran on the pretext of its nuclear programme.

World is well aware that Washington has a long drawn out animosity over the US Embassy staff hostage issue in the wake of Ayotallah Khomeini’s revolution almost 25 years ago and—of-course – the US has elephant’s memory.

The toxic acts in Iraq and Afghanistan have landed the US into a sinking quagmire as is evident from the growing resistance in both the occupied Muslim countries.

Of-late the verdict of the House of Representatives on President Bush plan on troops’ surge to Baghdad – is also as clear as crystal – and is ought to be treated – as an eye-opener or at least the voice of the American people with bona fide respect by the US administration.
Amid such an overt situation – we feel optimistic that the top US leadership will pause and ponder over its plans to attack Iran as it’s fraught with dangerous consequences both for the volatile region as well as for the Muslim world.

Pakistan being in Iran’s neighborhood will obviously have to endure the spill over – as it has to do in the context of Afghanistan.

With such realism, Pakistan has a genuine concern over the scenario, which is speedily surfacing on the soils of this part of the globe.

Thus, we hope that wisdom will prevail on the US leadership to avert deepening of the turmoil in the area – which requires a peaceful way to resolve all the issues, wherever they exist – with equilibrium for every nation – as the hallmark of such an approach.

Let us make clear that it’s high time that the comity of nations especially the permanent members of the UN Security Council should – instantly intervene – and restrain the White House from opening yet another front – which shall fetch nothing except still more problems for the humankind, which is already confronted with the duel menaces of extremism and terrorism sans any fault on the part of innocent men, women and children – in any mode or manner.●